Lisbon:
The Indian national football team went down 0-1 to Portuguese second division side Clube Desportivo de Mafra in their second practice match of the week at the Mafra ground in Lisbon.
Mafra striker Bonifacio scored the only goal of the match in the 52nd minute on Thursday, to hand India only their second defeat in the two-month-long training-cum-competition tour of Portugal.
Against Marfa, India coach Bob Houghton rested almost all the players who were part of the starting eleven in their convincing 3-1 win over Uniao Desportiva da Serra on Wednesday.
India started off with Arindam Bhattacharya in goal with Deepak Mondal as the right wing back. Mahesh Gawli and Govind Singh took guard at the heart of defence, while N Mohanraj was given the responsibility of the left flank. The midfield comprised of Steven Dias (on the right), Climax Lawrence and Baldeep Singh (centre) and James Singh (left wing half) while Houghton fielded two new strikers in Mohammed Rafi and Sushil Kumar Singh.
Determined not to give an edge, both teams took a cautious approach which resulted in a goalless opening half. However, after the breather the visitors were taken aback by their opponents as Bonifacio found the back of Indian net in the 52nd minute.
India had earlier defeated another second division side Uniao Desportiva da Serra 3-1 on Wednesday with striker Sunil Chettri scoring a double in the match.