Kathmandu, July 30: India rode on Jerry Lalrinzuala’s spectacular strike to pip hosts Nepal 1-0 and triumph in the Under-16 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) championship here today.
The stunning first-half goal by the 15-year old from Mizoram, along with superb goalkeeping by Dheeraj S Moirangthem ensured that India’s unbeaten campaign culminated in a fantastic manner.
It was a rare title in any age-group for India while the Nepalese were playing their first age-group final in 14 years. The defeat meant their international title drought continued.
The hosts played well but could not cash in on chances as Indian defence was superb and the custodian stood out with his performance. The pitch at the Dashrath stadium was not ideal for a good game after it had turned into a pool due to incessant drizzling, but the two teams fought their hearts out to make it an engrossing contest.
The first chance to score came India’s way as early as the seventh minute but skipper Krishna Pandit’s feeble shot from the middle of the box could not penetrate the defence. The hosts retaliated immediately through Shiva Subedi but the Indian defence was upto the task.
Pandit and Lalrinzuala then made a move from the left flank and Baoringdao Bodo, who did an exceptional job in the mid-field for India, took a brilliant shot from a long ranger as India kept raiding the Nepalese post.
India soon stunned the 10,000-strong partisan crowd when Lalrinzuala, latching on to a loose ball just outside the 18-yard box, sent a left-footer from 35-yards out that crashed into the top left corner of the Nepal goalpost in the 17th minute.
The ball was difficult to control as it rained continuously before and during the match. India’s defence line did a marvellous job with Bodo and Jayananda S Moirangthem being the outstanding performers. Lalrinzuala was also excellent in mid-field with Bodo guiding them. (PTI)
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