After a convincing 3-1 win over Desportivo de Serra on Wednesday, India went down 1-0 to Clube Desportivo de Mafra at the Mafra ground in Lisbon on Thursday.
Bob Houghton decided to give a few players from the previous game against Desportivo de Serra some much needed rest and started with Arindam Bhattacharya in the goal. Deepak Mondal – India’s 21st footballer to receive an Arjuna Award started in the right back position, while Mahesh Gawli and Govin Singh guarded the centre of the defensive line up accompanied by N. Mohanraj on the left flank.
Steven Dias on the right, James Singh on the left with Climax Lawrence and Baldeep Singh in the centre comprised the midfield while Mohammed Rafi supported Sushil Kumar Singh upfront.
Both the teams were careful at the start. At the half way stage neither team could break the deadlock as they scoreline read 0-0 going into the break.
In the second half the hosts got going and they finally got one past the Indian keeper in the 52nd minute to break the deadlock. With no more goals in the second half the scoreline at the end of the 90 minutes read 1-0 in favour of the hosts handing India its second defeat of the Portugal tour.
Clube Desportivo de Marfa 1 – 0 India
Starting XI – Arindam Bhattacharya, Deepak Mondal, Mahesh Gawli, Govin Singh, N. Mohanraj, Steven Dias, James Singh, Climax Lawrence, Baldeep Singh, Mohammed Rafi and Sushil Kumar Singh.