Team Herald
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VASCO: The Indian U-19 national team defeated Thailand’s Chonburi FC 2-1 in their last home match of the FAM-FRENZ Asia Champions Trophy 2015 at the Tilak Maidan, Vasco, on Thursday.
A late goal by Captain Daniel Lalhlimpuia gave the Indian colts much needed three points and propelled them to top the standings of Group A of the competition.
The Indian contingent faces Malaysia’s Frenz United A next in an away fixture on October 22, and mathematically need a point to secure qualification to the latter stages of the competition.
Coming on the back of a 2-1 win against Malaysia’s Frenz United A, the Indian colts took an early lead against their Thai opponents as Rakesh Oram tapped the ball home in the 6th minute of the match.
The Indian colts were left to rue their complacency as Chonburi FC scored to equalize their deficit. And at half-time both teams went into the tunnel on level pegging as the score-line read 1-1.
Changing over, the colts fostered another goal-scoring opportunity soon after the kick-off. Daniel, after wriggling his way through the Thai defence shot onto goal, but the Thai custodian once again denied India with a save.
The ricocheted ball fell into Ashique’s stride, whose venomous shot was once again kept out of the goal by the Thai custodian.
With chances piling up, Head Coach of the Indian U-19 National Team reshuffled his pack and introduced Bidyananda Singh for Milan Basumatary in an attempt to make the most out of opportunities.
The breakthrough after much delay finally came in the 89th minute when Daniel skillfully slotted the ball home past the Thai custodian from 20 yards to give India the lead.
