Defending champions India dominated from the opening whistle and played an outstanding brand of football to retain their SAFF U-17 Championship title by pulverising 10-man Nepal 4-0 in the final in Colombo.Boby Singh, Korou Singh, captain Vanlalpeka Guite, and Aman scored a goal each to ensure India reaches the promised land. It was a revenge fixture for India as Nepal had registered a 3-1 win in the group league.
However, in the final, India looked a side eager to take complete charge of the proceedings right from the word go. They got off the blocks early in the match, looking to find the gaps in the Nepal defence, and managed to get the lead in the 18th minute through Boby, who headed it into the goal at the far post, after a good piece of play between Ricky Meetei and Guite, as the latter sailed a cross towards the eventual goalscorer.
Guite was in the thick of things again 12 minutes later, getting another assist to his name, as he played a through ball to Korou Singh, who just had to round the keeper and slot it home.
The second goal meant that Nepal began attacking the Indian half with a lot more urgency, but the Indian midfield was managing to frustrate their efforts. The frustration came to the surface in the 39th minute, when Nepal captain Prashant Laksam elbowed Danny Laishram in the back after the two tangled up in a challenge – an action that was straightaway awarded a red card by the referee.
With the man advantage, India saw out the rest of the first half, before resuming the proceedings after the change of ends. Soon enough, Guite netted a goal of his own in the 63rd minute, when his cross from the left swerved into the top corner, handing India a 3-0 lead.
Nepal’s second half substitute Dhan Singh did create a couple of chances for his side in the closing minutes, but the one-man advantage meant that India were able to thwart the efforts.
At the other end, India’s second-half substitute Aman added salt into the wounds in injury time, netting the fourth goal, after he was set through behind the Nepal defence.
The result was beyond doubt by the end, as India successfully defended their title.
India skipper Guite was named the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament, while goalkeeper Sahil won the Best Goalkeeper awards.
Head Coach Bibiano Fernandes hailed the team's effort.
“I am extremely proud of my boys. There has been a lot of hard work put in, and every support staff, and player deserves equal credit.
“The efforts put in by AIFF at the youth level by providing us continuous exposure tours with help from SAI has helped the boys mature,” he added.
(With PTI Inputs)
