India's campaign at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup got off to a poor start as they suffered a 0-3 defeat to the United States in a Group A match here on Friday.
Josh Sargent (30th minute) put the US in the lead by converting a penalty in the first half.
Chris Durkin (51st) and Andrew Carleton (84th) rounded off the tally after the break.
The Indians gave a good account of themselves in the first half although the visitors dominated from start to finish and should have scored within the first 10 minutes.
India's star winger Komal Thatal was superb down the left, repeatedly troubling the American defenders with his dribbling skills.
India's other winger Ninthoiganba Meetei also played well with his speedy runs down the right. Abhijit Sarkar also did well in the midfield.
Indian goalkeeper Dheeraj Moirangthem was in superb form, coming up with several superb saves to reduce the margin of defeat.
The hosts played a defensive, counter-attacking style with Aniket Jadhav as the lone striker. The Indian boys however, suffered from a lack of co-ordination in the final third which resulted in a lot of mispasses and made the job easier for the US defenders.
The Indian defence came under pressure right at the start when India goalkeeper Dheeraj Moirangthem produced a superb save to deny American striker Josh Sargent from close range.
Dheeraj was called upon to make another save in the 15th minute when an attempted clearance saw the ball bounce off US winger Ayo Akinola and almost sneak in at the near post.
The US defence came under pressure in the 25th minute when India striker Aniket Jhadav dribbled into the rival penalty area and ultimately earned a corner.
The Americans took the lead when the referee inexplicably awarded a penalty after Indian defender Jitendra Singh tugged at the jersey of Sargent inside the penalty box. Sargent stepped forward to send the ball into the net as Dheeraj dived the other way.
The Americans almost doubled their lead shortly after half-time when Akinola dribbled into the penalty area and picked out Sargent inside the six-yard box.
Dheeraj however, displayed excellent reflexes to deny Sargent's close range attempt with a diving save.
The hosts however could not rejoice for long as a short while later, the Indian defence failed to clear a high ball inside the box and Durkin punished them with an impeccable finish.
The second goal seemed to affect the morale of the hosts as their defence started to make mistakes.
India got a good chance in the 56th minute when a through ball from Sarkar found Thatal whose attempt went over the bar.
India's best chance of the match came in the 84th minute when Anwar Ali's shot from outside the penalty box beat American goalkeeper Justin Garces but hit the underside of the crossbar.
But the third goal for the US came off the subsequent counter-attack as Carleton latched on to a long ball out of the American defence and rounded past Dheeraj to find the net.
Gukesh wins Candidates tournament, becomes the challenger for world title
Seventeen-year-old Indian chess Grandmaster D. Gukesh on Monday became the youngest player to win the FIDE Candidates tournament and to become the challenger for the world chess title.
IPL 2024: Iyer, Salt, Russell star as KKR survive Karn scare to beat RCB by one run
With 21 runs needed off the final over, Karn sliced Starc over backward point for six and survived a caught-behind appeal on the very next ball. Karn stayed deep in the crease and smacked Starc for sixes over extra cover and backward point.
IPL 2024: Jos Buttler’s century outshines Virat Kohli’s ton as RR beat RCB by six wickets
Opener Jos Buttler announced his return to form in his 100th IPL match with a magnificent 58-ball century as he outshined Virat Kohli’s ton to help Rajasthan Royals make it four wins from four matches at Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 after beating Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six wickets at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here on Saturday.
IPL 2024: Virat Kohli's unbeaten 113 lifts Royal Challengers Bengaluru to 183/3
Talismanic batter Virat Kohli brought out his vintage self to slam his eighth Indian Premier League (IPL) century and ninth overall in T20 cricket to lift Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a competitive 183/3 in 20 overs against Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here on Saturday evening.
IPL 2024: Quinton de Kock's 81, Pooran's 40 off 21 help LSG post 181/5 against RCB
Opener Quinton de Kock hammered a 56-ball 81 but Royal Challengers Bengaluru pulled things back in the death overs to restrict Lucknow Super Giants to in Match 15 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Tuesday.
IPL 2024: BCCI reschedules KKR vs RR, GT vs DC matches
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced the rescheduling of two Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 matches -- swapping the dates of the Kolkata Knight Riders versus Rajasthan Royals and that between Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals.
IPL 2024: Mohit Sharma picks three as bowlers help Gujarat restrict Hyderabad to 162/8
Veteran fast-bowler Mohit Sharma picked a brilliant 3-25 to lead a good bowling show for the Gujarat Titans in restricting Sunrisers Hyderabad to 162/8 in 20 overs of the IPL 2024 match at the Narendra Modi Stadium here on Sunday.
IPL 2024: It's just a lot more comfortable batting at the top, says Rachin Ravindra on opening role for CSK
Rachin Ravindra has slowly emerged as a fan favourite of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) supporters, thanks to his eye-catchy strokes in the power-play, coming at a strike rate of 237.14. The New Zealand all-rounder, who’s stepped into the role of an injured Devon Conway, said being an opener is just about being a lot more comfortable at the top and is close to unlocking his potential in that position.