Playing three games in successive days proved too much for the India under-18 side, which went down fighting to Argentine giants River Plate 1-2, in the BT Trophy of the Milk Cup Premier division in Northern Ireland on Thursday.

The Indians will now play for the 9th to 16th place.

They were edged out of the Milk Cup quarter-finals on the basis of goal difference.

India under-18 completed their three-team group league engagements, losing only to Preston North End but a better goal difference robbed them of a chance to vie against teams like Manchester United and Bayern Munich in the Premier Milk Cup quarter-finals.

According to reports, India started strongly again at the Anderson Park in Coleraine against the fancied team  from Buneos Aries and went into the lead through a Vimal Pariyar goal.

However, River Plate showed their class, scoring twice in the second-half to seal the match.

Incidentally, River Plate completed their league engagements, beating only County Tyrone 2-0 and losing to both Leeds United and Toulouse.

In the other matches of the day in the BT Trophy, Co Armagh defeated Kilmarnock 1-0, Greece's Panathinaikos defeated Co Londenderry 2-0, Toulouse defeated Co.Down 3-0.

The shock defeat to River Plate put India under-18 out of the tourney for all purposes as they go further down the league standings.

However, Stephen Constantine's boys never looked like rookies while playing their maiden international meet of this status. They not only kicked up a storm by defeating the more experienced pros but also gained much respect from their opposition.

Earlier reports

India Under-18 score second win

India juniors shock Dynamo Kiev