Chonburi (Thailand):
India’s U-17 men’s team put up a brutal performance to beat Brunei 13-0 in their first match of Group D of the U-17 Asia Cup qualifiers on Wednesday. The Blue Colts took the lead eight minutes into the first half with Vishal Yadav’s shot from the right side of the penalty box. The Indians continued to put pressure on the inexperienced Brunei boys and after 16 minutes, Md Arbash doubled their lead through a penalty. Yadav scored three goals for India after converting a loose ball from a corner, which Brunei failed to properly clear. Arbash also contributed an assist in the 38th minute, cutting a ball down the left for an easy goal for Bharat Lairenjam to put India four goals ahead.
Mohammed Kaif scored the fifth goal four minutes later with a header from a corner kick just before half-time.
In the 6th minute of the second half, Yadav received a through ball and calmly finished past the Brunei goalkeeper, scoring India’s 6th goal and completing a hat trick.
With this goal, India coach Ishfaq Ahmed tested the strength of his bench, and captain Ngamgouhou Mate took advantage of Brunei’s poor defense to score the team’s seventh goal with a free kick in the 65th minute of the second half.
Nine minutes later, substitute Manbhakupar Malngiang also got on the scoresheet with a goal similar to the one Yadav scored at the start of the first half.
In the 82nd minute, Hemneichung Lunkim scored India’s ninth goal by tapping in a loose ball in the box with his weak foot, before Azlaan Shah quickly converted an assist from Rishi Singh to make it 10 two minutes later.
By this time, Brunei’s players were noticeably depressed. But the Blue Clots aren’t done yet.
In the final minutes, Mahmad Sami (86th minute) and Sumit Sharma (88th minute) made it 12 before Usham Thoungamba Singh’s long-range effort four minutes into injury time sealed a 13-0 win.
Team India next plays Turkmenistan here on Friday and Thailand on Sunday.
Topics mentioned in this article
