VASCO: India despite all their ball possession and domination had to settle for a goalless draw against Korea Republic in their last Group League match against Korea Republic at the Tilak Maidan, Vasco, on Monday.
Courtesy the draw, India finished on two points from four matches but it deprived them of their goal. The result earned Korea Republic a summit clash with USA in the final on May 25, at 8 p.m while Malaysia will lock horns with Tanzania in the third-place play-off the same day at 4 p.m.
“India deserve all the praise,” Korea Republic Coach Seo Hyowon stated at the post-match press conference. They played as a team. They were good and in a better physical condition than us. They deserve all the praise,” he stated.
The statement, a draw against the mighty Korea Republic is a testimony of the manner the Indian U-16 World Cup team is shaping up, first for the AFC U-16 final in September and the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
However, Coach Nicolai Adam admitted that the “goal” wasn’t achieved.
“We did not get that addition match (the third placed play-off). Looking back, I feel we should have won that match against Malaysia,” he maintained.
“We need to work harder and smarter prior to the AFC U-16 Finals. I have always maintained that my Team is fit and the boys displayed to all that they are top fit. No one can say anything bad about today except the result.”
“The tournament has been organised beautifully,” he certified.
The second half all belonged to India. There were a series of attacks, the one-twos and the switching keeping the Koreans guessing and making them frustrated.
The attacks gathered more pace with the inclusion of Aniket Yadav. Immediately after coming on, his sudden burst of speed caught the rival unaware but on both occasions his left-footer sailed over.
The Indians stretched it to the flanks and there were numbers to fall back as much it was to counter attack.
Knowing that a draw will see them through to the final, the Koreans weren’t much willing to go into the attack mode. Very often, the Indians were outnumbered in the box.
India’s last chance came in the last minute of the match but there was none to tap in Aimol’s low centre after he had cut in past his marker.
Earlier in the first half, Korea Republic on a couple of times they did try their luck from around 30 yards but Goalkeeper Nawaz had positioned himself perfectly on both occasions.
India’s best chance came in the 20th minute when Komal Thatal managed to win the battle over his marker to enter the box. But his placement ran across the face of the goal missing by a whisker.
In the 37th minute Ninthoi’s run down the right spit open the rival defence but as he entered the goal area he misbalanced himself and his weak shot was cleared without much haste.
In added time, Nawaz came up with the save of the tournament denying Korea Republic with his reflexes as both teams headed to the interval locked goalless.
In an earlier match, riding on a brace from Captain Joshua Thomas, a 10-man United States of America defeated Malaysia 2-1 to enter the final.
Knowing that a win would book them a berth in the final, USA tried to keep up the pace right from the kick-off. They took the lead in the 18th minute when Captain Joshua converted from the spot.
Joshua doubled the lead in added time of the first half by heading in.
Changing over, USA were reduced to 10 men in the 51st minute when Kevin Roberto was given marching orders.
Malaysia pulled one back in the 85th minute with Zainul Arifin bulging the net from outside the box.
