The 55th Subroto Cup came to a close on Monday with Colegio Estadul Santo Antonio (CESA) School from Rio de Janeiro beating MSP Higher Secondary School, Malappuram, Kerala, 5-4 on penalties in the under-17 boys final at the Ambedkar Stadium in Delhi.
This was the first time a team from Brazil participated and given the emphatic manner in which they reached the final - beating teams 15-0, 15-1, 8-0 and conceding only two goals - they were the favourites. The South Americans dominated from the start and Arthur was found from a cross midway through the first half, and his header hit the crossbar.
The Kerala school got a free-kick near the centre circle soon after. A high ball into the box left the Brazilian defence scrambling with keeper Felipe failing to clear the ball and Mahin P Hussain's looped header found its way into the net to give MSP the shock lead.
There was further setback for the Brazilians with forward Gani Ahamed Nigam doubling the lead in the 43rd minute.
Midfielder Handriw, who was the orchestrator in the Brazilian midfield, found a winger on the right who crossed in for Jose Ricardo to head home in the 44th to pull one back. Just when it looked like it would go the Indians' way, Ricardo levelled at the death (2-2) to force extra-time.
Midfielder Handriw, who was the orchestrator in the Brazilian midfield, found a winger on the right who crossed in for Jose Ricardo to head home in the 44th to pull one back. Just when it looked like it would go the Indians' way, Ricardo levelled at the death (2-2) to force extra-time.