India won the SAFF U-15 Championships
Playing in front of a partisan crowd at the ANFA Complex, Satdobato in Lalitpur, India came back from behind to beat Nepal 2-1 in the final. Down by a goal at the interval, goals from Lalrokima and Vikram guided India to a deserving 2-1 victory.
Congratulating the U-15
Team for the achievement, All India Football President Mr. Praful Patel said:
“Congratulations to the boys and entire staff. The manner the boys have played
is a clear indication of how a structured Youth Development Programs can raise
the bar.”
Mr. Kushal Das, General
Secretary, AIFF said: “The AIFF Academy boys won many hearts with their
splendid display. The Academy programme has been yielding results and I am
confident this bunch of boys would go on to bring more laurels for the Country.
Congratulations!”
India came out the
stronger of the two teams with the boys passing the ball around in the
midfield. Ravi came close to scoring in the 14th minute while Harpreet’s header
missed the target narrowly soon after. Ravi shot it straight into the keeper’s
hands as India launched one attack after another.
India looked like the
team more likely to score but Nepal earned a penalty against the run of play in
the 40th minute. The penalty was converted as Nepal headed to the dressing room
leading 1-0 at the interval.
India could have
equalised right at the beginning of the second half but the players couldn’t
finish off their chances. Givson’s free-kick struck the cross bar in the 56th
minute as luck continued to elude the boys.
Finally, Lalrokima struck in the 58th minute to bring things level. The goal infused life into the
game as India roared in search of their second goal.
Sailo’s effort was saved
while Vikram Partap Singh hit it just wide as India bombarded the Nepal goalfront. But the
Nepali defence stone walled every effort until captain Vikram netted the ball
in the 74th minute to put India into the lead. The boys didn’t take the foot
off the pedal as they looked for the third with Nepal barely managing to avoid
conceding another.
The last few minutes saw
Nepal putting in long balls as they moved forward in search of an equaliser but
the Indian defence stood tall.