AIFF boys settle for 4th spot in international tournament

New Delhi: All India Football Federation`s Under-16 Regional Academy boys finished fourth in their maiden stint at the International Youth Tournament (HSV Odin 59`) in Heemskerk, the Netherlands Sunday.

Narrow reversals to Under-17 teams of Dutch heavyweights AZ Alkmaar and Israel`s top club Maccabi Tel Aviv for the third place clash and cross final respectively saw the AIFF Under-16 boys settle for a fourth spot. After falling behind to a first-half penalty winner in the cross final (winner to play in the final) against Maccabi Tel Aviv, the AIFF boys, who form the core of the India U-16 national team, scored at the death to restore parity through Bodo Baoringdao after they had fallen behind in the first half. Abiding by the rule of direct penalties for third place clash, the match went to tie-breaker where Nijwm Muchahary muffed from the spot with the score at 3-2 after Prosenjit Chakroborty and Krishna Pandit had converted their takes. The 2013 Under-16 SAFF Champions played well yesterday in the group stages to beat Deportivo Saint Maickol and SBV Excelsior 1-0 before drawing with defending champions FC Volendam 2-2.