Young Lallianzuala creates history as India crush Nepal to make the semi-finals

by Prasad bhutkar December 28, 2015

India cruised into the semi-finals of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Suzuki Cup 2015 with a 4-1 win over Nepal at the Trivandrum International Stadium in Trivandrum on Sunday evening. The highlight of the evening however was the eighteen year old Lallianzuala Chhangte who scored two delightful goals to become India’s youngest International scorer.

Stephan Constantine made four changes to the side that emerged victorious against Sri Lanka. The Englishman restored Subrata Pal in the goal, while Bikash Jairu and Holicharan Narzary came in for strikers Jeje and Robin Singh. Rowlin Borges started the game ahead of Pronoy Halder, while Aiborlang Khongjee was given a run out replacing the experienced Arnab Mondal at the heart of the defence.

Nepal started the brighter of the two sides, as a horror show from the Indian defense gave the visitors an early lead in the third minute of the match with Bimal Magar tapping into an open net after centre back Pritam Kotal had been nudged out in the build-up. But the lead lasted only for about 20 minutes as India equalised through Rowlin
Borges who pounced on some scrappy clearance at the back from the free-kick firing it into the top corner. 1-1 at Half time

The second half promised to be a thriller as team India started on the front foot and were creating some decent chances.Chetri was at the heart of majority of the chances with some intricate play from Lyngdoh. Some neat build-up from the blue tigers was fruitful in the 67th minute as the Indian Skipper Sunil Chetri fired them into the
lead pouncing on a poor clearance from Nepal and toe poking the ball under pressure. A calm and composed finished from the experienced man. But the talking point of the game came in the 81st minute when the 18 year old starlet Lallianzula Chhangate scored a blinder of a left foot goal from the edge of the box and into the far
corner making it 3-1 to India. And just when everyone was singing his praises Lallianzula gave everyone another goal to talk about heading home from a Broges pass over top making it 4-1 to India. A very intelligent run from the youngster.

India marched into the semi-finals with a 4-1 victory with the 18 year old Lallianzula creating history by becoming the youngest Indian player to score an international goal breaking Bhaichung Bhutia’s record. Although the limelight was stolen by the youngster, a key mention to holding midfielder Rowlin Broges who was the spine of
the team equalising with his goal and then setting up Lallianzula for his second of the night.