Early goals from Ridge Melvin and Rohit Danu seal crucial win for Bibiano Fernandes’ boys over Cameroon…

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U-16 team beat 2-1 in their second friendly match in Istanbul on Wednesday. The colts, who lost their first game of the tour 1-2 to Oman, came back strongly against the African nation.

Ridge Melvin (1’) and Rohit Danu (20’) were on target to help India register a much-needed win. Cameroon pulled one back in the 63rd minute.

Bibiano Fernandes’ boys broke the deadlock within 30 seconds of kick-off as Melvin slotted the ball home from skipper Vikram Singh’s curling cross from the right flank.

The Indian attackers were all over the pitch on the day and completely dominated proceedings. Their attacking gameplay yielded them their second goal of the match in the 20th minute when Rohit Danu scored from Melvin’s long ball.

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Cameroon took control of the match after conceding twice within 20 minutes. They came close to score on a couple of occasions but the Indian defenders were vigilant enough.

Bibiano brought in Ravi Bahadur in the second half in place of Lalchhanhima Sailo in order to further strengthen the team’s attack.

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Cameroon scored one goal in the 63rd minute as they looked to stage a comeback but the India colts fought hard till the end and held on to their lead.

India next face Turkish giants ’ youth side on August 26.

India U16 Team against Cameroon: Niraj Kumar (GK); Manish Chaudhary, Bikash Yumnam, Thoiba Singh, Shabas Ahammed; Bekey Oram, Lalchhanhima Sailo, Ridge Melvin, Givson Singh; Vikram Pratap Singh, Rohit Danu.