Forwards Robin Singh and Balwant Singh score as India beat Mauritius 2-1

India's Robin Singh celebrates after scoring against Mauritius at the Mumbai Football Arena in Andheri on Saturday. Pic/ PTI

Forwards Robin Singh and Balwant Singh struck on either side of the break as India beat 160th ranked Mauritius 2-1 in their opening encounter of the AIFF Tri-Nation Football tournament at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Saturday.

The tournament is being seen as a preparatory one for upcoming Asian Cup Qualifiers against Macau and the home team had to sweat more than they would have expected against a team ranked 63 places below in the FIFAâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088rankings.

This was the ninth consecutive win for the 97th ranked senior national team that had a host of U-23 players introduced by coach Stephen Constantine, keeping an eye on the future.

Shocked by reverse
Sandesh Jhingan leading the team for the first time was in for a shock when Mervyn Jocelyn's powerful right-footer deflected off Anas Edathodika with veteran custodian Subrata Paul completely wrong-footed. It was the 15th minute of the match.

Find their footing
However in the 37th minute, a defence splitting through pass from Rowllin Borges found Robin Singh wide open on the left. The centre forward sped past defender Louis Dorza before unleashing an angular left-footer beating the goalkeeper.

The winner in the 62nd minute from Balwant was a result of a three-touch move. Central midfielder Eugensen Lyngdoh sent on into attacking third where Jeje Lalpheklhua's deft touch opened wide space down the middle for Balwant. The former Mohun Bagan forward neatly placed it past the goalkeeper to get the lead for the hosts. The other attempt worth remembering was from youth international Manveer Singh whose 30-yard shot found the rival goalkeeper out of charge and went inches above the bar.