Impressive India draw 1-1 with World Cuppers Panama

BENGALURU: (Sep 25) A spirited India surrendered their slender lead but still had plenty to feel good about as they held world No. 44 Panama to a 1-1 draw in a FIFA International friendly here on Friday.

The draw against a country that played the FIFA World Cup only a couple of months back and had a number of players from that tournament in its ranks will certainly be rated as the best under head coach Khalid Jamil.

For India, Ryan Williams, Australian of Indian descent, struck in the 41st minute but Omar Valencia equalised in the 68th minute to restore parity and ensure that Panama didn’t face the ignominy of a defeat against a country that is 138th in the FIFA listings despite crazy following of the sport.