India U16 break winless streak with a 2-1 win over Malaysia

by Chittu Shetty July 26, 2018

Despite the jinx of conceding late goals, two first-half goals sealed the tie for India U-16 as they break the losing streak to pick a win against Malaysia in the second match of the exposure trip in Malaysia today (July 26, 2018). 

– Courtesy AIFF Media

Rohit Danu (21′) blasted the roof of the net before Givson (31′) doubled the lead to take a comfortable 2-0 lead at the end of the first-half. Malaysia halved the gap in the dying minutes of the match but that couldn’t deter the inevitable towards the end.

After suffering a loss three days back, India started on an aggressive note today. Danu tried to latch on an attack from the middle but the Malaysia defenders dealt with it to keep the scoreline same. The battle was mostly being fought at the middle of the pitch before Danu was brought down by the Malaysian defender and the referee didn’t hesitate to award a penalty kick in favour of the visitors.

Rohit Danu didn’t waste the opportunity to hand the Indian side much-needed lead in the 21st minute. Nine minutes later, Givson Singh hit the target once again following a meticulous build-up from the midfield. Rohit took on his own to build the attack from the left of the box and passed it to the midfielder who tapped it home in the 31st minute to double the lead.

Danu breached the Malaysian defence one minute to the half-time but his right-footer rattled the woodwork to maintain a 2-0 lead at the end of the first 45 minutes. The second half was confined within the midfield before India created another opportunity at the stroke of the hour-mark but the opposition goalie leapt over Danu to avert the danger.

Coach Bibiano Fernandes introduced three of fresh legs towards the final whistle and they fared fairly to maintain the lead until the 94th minute when the hosts breached the sturdy Indian defence to half the gap.

India U-16 Team: Niraj Kumar (GK), Manish Chaudhary, Harpreet Singh, Thoiba Singh, Shabas Ahammed, Bekey Oram (Bikash 90’+3′), Ricky Shabong, Ridge Demello (Ravi Bahadur Rana 72′), GivsonSingh (31′) (Sailo 78′), Vikram Singh (C), Rohit Danu (21′) (Harpreet 84′).

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