NEW DELHI: The India under-14 boys came from a goal down to topple Afghanistan 3-1 in the AFC under-14 Regional Festival of football, at the FC Istiklol Academy ground in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on Tuesday.
After conceding an early goal in the third minute, courtesy of a free-kick, the spirits of the under-14 boys were not deterred and Sanjeev Stalin brought the Indian contingent level four minutes later, as his 35-yard long range shot blitzed past a hapless Afghan goalkeeper and ended in the back of the net. The splendid equalizer upped the ante of the under-14 boys and prompted them to prey on a bewildered opposition.
Within minutes, the Indian contingent regrouped to test the mettle of the Afghan goalkeeper as Rohit’s left-footed curler from inside the penalty box, albeit beat the opposing goalkeeper, brushed onto the post.
The under-14 boys came close to churning a lead in the 18th minute when Bisnu’s majestic run, which saw him collywobbles the Afghan defence line, ended with a shot which rattled the crossbar.
Two shots on the crossbar and a constant wave of attacks on the opposition citadel were bound to breach the Afghan defence sooner or later. And that it did in the 25th minute, when Flan Gomes tapped home, following a decent Manvir cross from the right flank. A 2-1 scoreline albeit in favour of the under-14 boys at half-time reflected a pale outlook of the dominance of the Indian colts, who fostered numerous goal scoring opportunities besides the two shots on the crossbar.
Continuing with their snazzy passing football the Indian colts showcased fluidity in attack. And in the 52nd minute, Lalchununga scored with literally his second touch of the game, as the substitute exquisitely controlled a defence splitting through ball and then toe-poked the ball home to give the Indian colts a comfortable two goal lead.
The scoreline stayed the same at the end of time, as the Indian colts registered their second win in four matches, besides a 2-2 draw against Iran and a 0-1 loss against Tajikistan.
