FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017, India vs USA – As it happened...

India, on Friday, made a historic FIFA debut, but a dominant USA side stole the spotlight with a stunning 3-0 victory at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi

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Welcome to the Live Coverage of India’s debut match in a FIFA World Cup. It is India against USA in their opener at the U-17 World Cup, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. Here you can catch the Live commentary and updates (Where can you watch it online?)

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21:55 IST – The full time whistle is gone and that's that for India. 0-3 defeat in their historic opener against USA 

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21:52 IST– Three minutes of added time 

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21:46 IST – Andrew Carleton dribbled it past the keeper and made it 3-0 for USA. India hit the cross-bar at the other end, their only attempt at goal and then...  

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21:36 IST – Andrew Carleton in a bid to make it 3-0 for USA....but hits the side net. Meanwhile India coach de Matos asking his side to slow things down

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21:30 IST – India make two changes – Abhijit comes off, Rahim in and Ninthoi is replaced by Naorem. Can India now even look to pull one back?

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The crowd firmly behind the boys with their unrelenting support #INDvUSA #BackTheBlue #FIFAU17WC pic.twitter.com/cbrpemj3EH — Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 6, 2017

61' Meanwhile, Lalengmawia, Rahim, Shahjahan, Jeakson are in the warm-up zone #BackTheBlue #FIFAU17WC #INDvUSA — Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 6, 2017

21:12 IST – USA doubled their advantage over the host nation as Chris Durkin found the net. Too many defenders in front of Dheeraj and that was the error on their behalf

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21:10 IST – USA decodes the Indian defence line, got through, made an attempt and Dheeraj stretched out to make a clinical save. Deviated the ball and it was in time cleared off the box.

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Meanwhile, Paraguay and Mali go into the break with 2-2 square line.
Will we see a winner in the 2nd half?#FIFAU17WC pic.twitter.com/SEYBnBBsTm — Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 6, 2017

21:06 IST: The second-half of the game is underway

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So far so good boys, really unlucky with the penalty. Good composure shown defensively just need that break through in front! #KeepGoing — Gurpreet Singh (@GurpreetGK) October 6, 2017

20:50 IST – And the half-time whistle goes. One or two glimpses of a positive attack in the fag-end of the first-half, but coach was surely unhappy with that penalty that India gave away. 

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20:44 IST – Aniket Jadhav struggled to curl in a cross from the left wing, failed. US defender, just in time, cleared the opportunity

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20:34 IST –Clumsy challenge by defender Jitendra and USA skipper Sargent went down as referee immediately signalled for a penalty. The skipper took the opportunity and struck it down to the bottom left corner and 1-0 up for the Americans  

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20:29 IST – First corner for the hosts and wasted opportunity

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20:28 IST –India relying heavily on their defence line while the American team going all out attacking against the hosts. In fact, their defenders are at times, or most of the times at the centre half.  

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20:23 IST – Defender Rahul made an excellent clearance just in time to deny the Americans a chance to find the net 

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20:18 IST – Goalkeeper Dheeraj forced to make a save after the defender failed to clear the ball off the box.

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20:10 IST – India turning in towards a strong defence line. USA looking strong with their dominance in possession

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20:06 IST– USA make a strong start in their opener. Have already broken in twice.  

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The Teams are out. Kick-off next. #INDvUSA #BackTheBlue #FIFAU17WC pic.twitter.com/x8NnFJP6iB — Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 6, 2017

19:57 IST – PM Narendra Modi along with the other dignitariess made his way onto the field to meet the two teams

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Others on the list to be felicitated are – Baichung Bhutia, Sunil Chhetri, 'Black Buck' IM Vijayan, Former Indian Captain Syed Nayeemuddin and Oinam Bembem Devi

Prime Minister @narendramodi felicitates the legendary PK Banerjee. #INDvUSA #BackTheBlue #FIFAU17WC pic.twitter.com/PpQmZazfRb — Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 6, 2017

Starting XI vs #BackTheBlue #FIFAU17WC #INDvUsa pic.twitter.com/ohOjGBTeDh — Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 6, 2017

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None but @PMOIndia @narendramodi ji has reached the JLN Stadium to watch #FIFAU17WC #BackTheBlue #INDvUSA pic.twitter.com/fpzLiaXlkt — Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 6, 2017

Honourable Prime Minister is here along with @praful_patel @Ra_THORe AFC President Shaikh Salman. #INDvUSA #BackTheBlue #FIFAU17WC pic.twitter.com/bkhgjXBxXP — Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 6, 2017

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READ: 27000 free tickets for schools kids but not enough water

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UPDATES: Meanwhile, riding on Ibrahim's first-half goal, Ghana pulled off a stunner at JLN Stadium in their first match against Colombia. And with that came three points for the African nation. On the other hand, in Navi Mumbai, Kiwi skipper Max Mata pulled off a last-minute eqauliser as New Zealand-Turkey encounter ended in a 1-1 draw

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Stepping down to step it up on the field. #INDvUSA #BackTheBlue #FIFAU17WC pic.twitter.com/XU6hnkeMFX — Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 6, 2017

Ready to roar. #INDvUSA #BackTheBlue #FIFAU17WC pic.twitter.com/ZnEo0yjKll — Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 6, 2017

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New Delhi: And the time has come. 2017 FIFA under-17 World Cup is just moments away from a grand kick-off as hosts India are all geared up to make their first major appearance in a FIFA tournament. Well, they are up against the formidable United States of America in the opener at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, today. 

The Indian Colts bagged their participation ticket on grounds of being the hosts. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) did send players for matches in Europe and then Mexico to gear the U-17 team for their first major tournament. (IND vs USA: Match Preview)

The USA team, battled their way up to the finals of the CONCACAF U-17 Championship, earlier in April but eventually finished runners-up behind Mexico. So, that is how they ensured their qualification. Maybe not trophy favourites, but surely a better side when they step in for the opener at JLN Stadium. ( Where to watch it online?)