NEW DELHI:After defeating Delhi Santosh Trophy XI 4-0 ,the India U-22 squad defeated a combined Delhi XI 5-0 in their second practice match played at the Ambedkar Stadium on Tuesday (June 12). Striker Holicharan Narzary scored a brace which included a scorching left-footer from the top of the box. Besides, Pritam Kotal and Lalrindika Ralte and Alwyn George scored one apiece.
The match was played in three halves of thirty minutes each as Head Coach stayed content in trying out different combinations. “The intention was to field as many players as possible,” Papas said after the match. “The boys have improved a lot in the nine days we have been together. We kept possession of the ball a lot better and at the same time we were able to switch from one end to the other with ease,” he added.
Striker Jeje Lapeklua came on in the last 30 minutes. “The idea was to keep Jeje on the field for at least 30 minutes. This was his first match in 6 months,” Papas commented.
The Indian squad leaves for Dubai for a seven-day exposure camp in Dubai on June 14 where they would be played two more practice matches. India play their first match against Lebanon in their first match of the AFC U-22 Championship on June 23 in Muscat.