India lift SAFF U-15 Championships, thrash Nepal 7-0 in the final
India thrashed Nepal 7-0 courtesy of a hat-trick from striker Sridarth Nongmeikapam, to lift the SAFF U-15 Championships title in Kolkata on Saturday. The victory meant that India is now the most successful team in the tournament’s history – winning the title for a record third time.
After two previous wins in 2013 and 2017, both of which came in Nepal, India was once again the dominant force at the 2019 edition, scoring 28 goals without conceding any in the five matches.
In the final, Sridarth scored three in the second half, after Maheson Singh Tongbram, Amandeep, and Sibajit Singh had scored one each in the first half to take India to a secure 3-0 lead at half-time. Himanshu Jangra – who scored hat-tricks in each of the previous two games – scored the other goal in the 65th minute, as the Bibiano Fernandes-coached Indian side romped home to victory at the Kalyani Stadium.
“We are happy to be champions. We came here with an aim, and we have achieved it. This was a preparation for the AFC Qualifiers and it makes us confident about what we can achieve,” Bibiano told PTI.
“I am extremely happy with the manner in which the boys responded. They kept up the momentum and intensity since the first match. I am extremely proud of them,” he added.
The first-half was an electric affair right from the start, with the first scoring chance created in the second minute itself. Eventually, India’s pressure paid off as they took the lead through Tongbram in the 15th minute. The midfielder surged into open space on the right flank and hit an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner of Nepal goalie Manoj Dahal’s net. For the remainder of the half, it seemed like the first goal would be the last. But, India recorded two quick strikes towards the end, when Amandeep’s deft header found the back of the net in the 42nd minute before Sibajit Singh slotted home from close range three minutes later – Taison Singh with the assist for the third.
In the second half, it was all a one-man show by Sridarth, who pounced on a shot spilled by the Nepal goalie in the 51st to score his first. Himanshu came off the bench to score the fifth goal of the match – thus recording his seventh goal of the championship, and bagging the highest scorer award. Again, the provider was none other than Taison who won the ball, raced past the defence and set up a lovely cross for Himanshu to head home. Sridarth then put the final touches on the win with two goals late on, after which captain Anish Majumdar dedicated the victory to a team effort.
“This wouldn’t have been possible without us sticking together as a team. I need to thank the Coach and all our staff for their guidance, and believing in us,” Mazumdar said.
Next up ahead for Fernandes’ & Co. is the AFC U-16 Championships 2020 qualifiers, scheduled to take place from September 18-22. India has been drawn in Group B and will face hosts Uzbekistan, Bahrain and Turkmenistan.
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