India squanders 3-0 lead to lose 3-4 in SAFF U18 opener

by Chittu Shetty September 18, 2017

In a bizarrely disappointing second half performances, Indian colts threw away a perfectly good 3-0 lead to lose 3-4 against Bangladesh in SAFF cup opener

It was a game of contrasting performances on either side of break, after seeming to be running away with the game in an exceptional first half performance that led to Indian colts racing to a 3-0 lead at half time, the second half turned out to be a disappointing affair with the team looking completely out of sorts and eventually losing 3-4.

The game began with Indian looking confident on ball. After Roshan brought a save out of Bangladesh Keeper in the 11^th minute, India took the lead 7 minutes later when Lalawmpuia in a 1-on-1 situation slid the ball past the keeper to make it 1-0. Soon India made it 2-0 at the half hour mark when Edmund comfortably converted a spot kick.

Although Bangladesh did make occasional forays into India box the defence held on. But the best of the Indian goal was yet to come, in the final added minute of first half, Princeton produced a gem of free-kick when his strike from around 30 yards out rocketed into the net. India went into the break with a comfortable 3-0 lead.

Women football: Diparnika and Manisha leads Kenkre FC to glory

Second half began with India continuing from where they left off and almost made it 4-0 when Lalengzama’s strike from outside the box hit the top of the bar. But soon Bangladesh came back in to the match with an equaliser in the 55^th minute. Five minutes later Bangladesh were awarded a free-kick inside the box after a poor refereeing saw Indian defenders deflected pass to keeper getting judged as a back pass being handled by keeper. Bangladesh converted the chance as the score read 3-2.

The second goal seemed to rattle the Indian confidence as Bangladesh equalised in 74^th minute thanks to a defensive lapse among Indians. With score tied Indian attacked aggressively in search of winner but it was Bangladesh who seized the chance in the first minute of injury time. Scoring from a corner to make it 4-3 as India went down losing the game.

India next face host Bhutan on 20^th September and will look to bounce back.

India 3 (Lalawmpuia 18’, Edmund 31’, Princeton 45+2’) – 4 Bangladesh (Jafar Iqbal 55’,90+1, MD Rahmat Mia 61’, Rahman 74’)