New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) The Indian football team thrashed Desportivo Monsanto 6-2 at Pilado in their second practice match in Portugal.
According to information received here, Mohammed Rafi scored a brace, while Anthony Pereira, Renedy Singh, Clifford Miranda and Abhishek Yadav scored a goal each in Thursday’s match.
India made two changes in the starting line-up that played against Desportivo das Caldas with Subrata Pal making way for Subhasish Roy Choudhury, while Clifford Miranda replaced the injured Steven Dias.
It was the home team which took the surprise lead in the 17th minute, but Renedy Singh brought India back with the equaliser from the penalty spot three minutes later after a Desportivo Monsanto defender handled the ball inside the box.
India went ahead in the 40th minute, when Rafi combined well with Pereira to score the second goal for the Bob Houghton coached side.
Pereira and Rafi were once again in the thick of action, and this time it was the Dempo player’s turn to register his name in the scoresheet two minutes later.
Yadav then made it 4-1 just a minute before the break, heading in a Renedy Singh’s flag-kick.
India made eight changes to their starting XI in the second half with only goalkeeper Subhasish Roy Choudhury, Miranda and Rafi remaining unchanged.
Rafi completed his brace in the 58th minute through James Singh’s pass from the right, while Miranda added the sixth in the 65th minute before Desportivo Monsanto decreased the deficit in the 78th minute from a goal mouth melee.
