The early stages of the match didn’t have too much goalmouth action but India had to play on the break as Castelldefels were having more of the play.
Sunil Chhetri’s absence gave young Sushil Kumar Singh the chance to start alongside Bhaichung Bhutia upfront and India’s first real chance fell to the youngster but he failed to hit the target.
However India did break the deadlock in the 24th minute through an unlikely source, defender Surkumar Singh, when the man from Manipur let fly a powerful long ranger giving the opposition keeper no chance.
There were not too many opportunities for either side in the remainder of the first half but Castelldefels kept building up attacks.
Coach Bob Houghton made nine changes in the second half with only defender N.S. Manju and goalkeeper Surbrata Pal keeping their places.
And the changes didn’t really help India as their lead lasted only for 11 minutes in the second period when Manju conceded a penalty after committing a foul in the box.
Alberto Marcos Ramos coolly converted the spot kick to level the score.
India started playing much better after conceding the goal with the versatile Nabi almost scoring, while playing as a striker along side the much experienced Abhishek Yadav.
Veteran Renedy Singh also went close from a freekick but none of the teams were really looking like scoring the second.
Houghton made one last change bringing on young Mohanraj for club teammate Manju but the game never really got going in the final stages and ended all square.
India Lineup: Subrata Pal, Surkumar Singh (Deepak Mondal 46'), Gouramangi Singh (Mahesh Gawli 46'), Anwar (Mehrajuddin Wadoo 46'), N.S. Manju (N.Mohanraj 73'), Steven Dias (Renedy Singh 46'), N.P. Pradeep (Baldeep Singh Jr. 46'), Climax Lawrence (Rakesh Masih 46'), Anthony Pereira (Clifford Miranda 46'), Bhaichung Bhuita (Abhishek Yadav 46'), Sushil Kumar Singh (Syed Rahim Nabi 46')
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