New Delhi: The Indian team made it’s much anticipated debut in the FIFA U-17 World Cup but could not count it off with a win, as they went down to USA 0-3 in their first Group A match at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium. Goals from captain Josh Sargent, Chris Durkin and Andrew Carleton handed the visiting side the win.
The match started on a good note for the Indians as the 60,000 packed stadium cheered the boys in blue at every move. However, it was USA who controlled the proceedings early on and almost scored in the fourth minute when Andrew Carleton was sent clear on goal, but Indian goalie Dheeraj who had a brilliant match put on a good save, his first of many.
Although USA overpowered the Indians both in skills and strength, piling up continuous attacks, the Indian back line maintained it’s shape and it was only through a penalty in the 30th minute that USA could break the deadlock. Jitendra Singh fouled Josh Sargent in the box and the US captain made no mistake slotting the ball into the net. India, despite trying hard could not equalise even as Komal Thatal and Aniket Jadhav combined well in the left wing.
The 52nd minute saw USA earn a corner which the Indian colts failed to clear, capitalising on the error Chris Durkin flicked the ball which took a deflection of Suresh, to put it inside the net. With 2-0 down Indian showed some composure slowly gaining some momentum and almost pulled one back, when in the 56th minute some confusion in opposition defence send Thatal clear in goal but the midfielder unable to control his chip, sending it sailing over the bar.
Their best chance of the match came in the 83rd minute when a corner ball from Thatal ended up in Anwar Ali’s feet, but the defender with only the goal at his mercy hit the woodwork as USA added one more on the counter.
Nevertheless, despite the loss the young Indian colts must keep their heads held high as throughout the match they kept the formidable US attacks under control. Special mention must also be made of goalkeeper Dheeraj Moirangthem, who was one of India’s bright stars in the match and if not for him the scoreline could have been 6-0. He saved three clear cut chances and it was only through a penalty, a deflection and a late goal where he was left all alone that the US forwards could cross his line.
Komal Thatal was another star whose every touch made the fans rise to their feet. He was brilliant throughout the match and it was only thorough physical confrontation that the opposition defense controlled the diminutive midfielder. He created numerous chances for the home team and could have scored one himself. Already rumoured to be on Manchester United’s radar Thatal looks a bright future for india.
In the other match of Group A, Ghana beat Colombia 1-0, courtesy a 39th minute goal from Sadiq Ibrahim. Despite being the weaker team on paper, the Colombian side matched Ghana in the field and could have easily won the match had they been more clinical up-front.
GROUP B
Turkey took on New Zealand in the opening match of the group. The match ended at 1-1 after full time in a open match which saw both teams getting plenty of chances to capitalise on. The match also saw a red card when New Zealand captain and goal scorer Max Mata was sent off towards the end after seeing two back to back yellow cards.
In the other match, Mali faced Paraguay in a thriller which saw five goals being scored in total. In the end, Paraguay came out as the victorious team.
GROUP A
New Delhi:
Ghana 1 (Sadiq Ibrahim 39′) beat Colombia 0
GROUP B
Navi Mumbai:
Turkey 1 ( Ahmed Kutucu 19′ ) drew New Zealand 1 ( Max Mata 59′ )
Paraguay 3 ( Antonio Galeano 12′ Leonardo Sanchez 17′ and Alan Rodriguez 55′ ) beat Mali 2 (Hadji Drame 20′ and Lassana Ndiaye 34′ )