India end Barcelona tourney with a win

NEW DELHI: Fit-again striker SunilChhetri converted a penalty as India wound up their Barcelona training tour on awinning note by beating Spanish third division side FC Santboia by a solitarygoal in their fourth and final friendly game.Chhetri scored from thespot in the 17th minute after his strike partner and captain Bhaichung Bhutiawas brought down by a Santboia defender inside the danger area, and Indiamaintained the lead till the end at Centre of High Performance Sports at theoutskirts of Barcelona last night. Bhutia played for the full 90minutes as coach Bob Houghton made only one substitution in his starting line-up-- that of Chhetri, who has just recovered from a right ankle injury, by SushilSingh in the 58th minute. The early goal gave the Indians the boostto go for the offensive and Anthony Pereira could have made it 2-0 in the 26thminute but the Indian left winger shot wide with only goalkeeper to beat.The Spanish opponents, however, pressed hard for the equaliser andthey had a couple of attempts on target in the first session but each timeSubrata Pal came up with good saves under the Indian bar. After thebreather, Santboia changed almost all the starting lineup but India dominatedthe second session. Both sides could not create any clear chances though Indiamade attempts from set pieces. Bhutia had a couple of attempts atthe Santboia goal but without success. The win means India remainedunbeaten in their month-long sojourn at FC Barcelona. They won two games anddrew two, all against Spanish third division sides. The Indian teamreaches here tomorrow and they will disperse for home on Saturday. They willhave a camp at Gurgaon from August 12 till the Nehru Cup begins at AmbedkarStadium here on August 19. Subrata Pal, Surkumar Singh, Anwar, Gouramangi Singh, NS Manju,Steven Dias, Climax Lawrence, NP Pradeep, Anthony Pereira, Baichung Bhutia,Sunil Chetri (Sushil Singh, 58th).