The Russia national under-18 football team hammered India’s U-17 World Cup squad 8-0 in their Group B match of the Valentin Granatkin Memorial Cup in St. Petersburg, Russia on Sunday evening.
The result could have been worse had not Russia missed a penalty just before the half-time. The hosts led lead 5-0 at the interval.
The first goal came as early as in the 2nd minute of the match when Glushkov headed in the first corner of the match. It wasn’t the start which the Indians were looking for.
The second goal came off another corner in the 12th minute – this time goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh fumbling to collect it and it was gleefully tapped in by Denisov.
Glushenkov made it 3-0 in the 21st minute. He followed up a long ball played behind the defence, beat his marker for speed and lobbed it over Dheeraj.
Rudenko made it 4-0 in the 25th minute and Gluskenov scored his second in the 31st to make it 5-0. Following a cross from the left, he trapped in between the two defenders and made space with a deft feint to blast it in.
Russia scored the sixth goal immediately after the changeover when Tsypchenko tapped it in after dribbling past Boris Singh.
In the 67th minute, the home side made it 7-0 via Tsypchenko’s header in a corner.
With nine substitutions being allowed in the match, coach Nicolai Adam brought in as many as six substitutions but they failed to make any impact. Late in the second half, India did have a shy at the rival goal but first, Sanjeev’s shot sailed wide and then Komal’s shot went straight to the rival goalkeeper.
Latchevic completed the rout in added time when he made no mistake to slot in from the penalty spot.
India will next play against Belarus U-18 team on Tuesday.
