VALENCIA: India notched up one of its most memorable football triumphs when the country’s under-20 team stunned traditional giants Argentina 2-1 despite being reduced to 10 men in a pulsating contest at the COTIF Cup here.
Deepak Tangri (4th minute) and Anwar Ali (68′) were the stars for the Indian U-20 team last night as the Floyd Pinto-coached side scripted a historic result against the six-time U-20 world champions, coached by 2006 World Cupper Lionel Scaloni and former mid-field star Pablo Aimar. It was a massive boost for Pinto’s side, which had lost 0-2 to Murcia before going down 0-3 to Mauritania.
They were held to a goalless draw by Venezuela in their previous match in the tournament.
Tangri gave India a perfect start as he headed the ball at the back of the net from a corner taken by Ninthoiganba Meetei in the fourth minute. Boosted by the early goal, India stepped up the attack and tried to create chances in the first half. Suresh Singh Wangjam and Boris Singh Thangjam tried to feed Aniket Jadhav with the ball but on two occasions he was adjudged off-side as after the first half, India lead 1-0.
In the second half, Ali squandered an opportunity after he received a pass from captain Amarjit Singh Kiyam but his shot was saved by the Argentine goalkeeper. India U-20 side was soon reduced to 10 men after forward Jadhav was shown the red card in the 54th minute for a bad foul.
With Argentina trying to make inroads, India goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill pulled off a couple of brilliant saves in the 56th minute and another with his fingertips in the 61st minute.
India continued to look for another goal and a brilliantly struck free-kick taken by Anwar Ali in the 68th gave the Asian side a 2-0 lead.
It was a foul on substitute Rahim Ali which resulted in the set-piece and Ali’s shot hit inside of the woodwork before nestling in the Argentine goal. Four minutes later, Argentina pulled one back but the Indian colts held their nerves in the remaining minutes to create history on Spanish soil.
“The one thing missing from our continued development through this tournament were goals. I am really happy the boys adapted so quickly and effectively to the changes we made post our first gamer. I just couldn’t have asked for a better reaction,” the India coach said. (PTI)
India U-16 colts shock Iraq 1-0
AMMAN: The Indian under-16 team stunned reigning Asian champions Iraq for the first time, courtesy a last-gasp goal by Bhuvenesh, to bring its campaign back on track at the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Tournament here.
India produced a dominating performance before Bhuvenesh headed in the match-winner in the dying minutes. The win comes as a massive morale-booster for the side, which lost 1-2 to Japan in its previous match. This is the first-ever victory for any Indian football team against Iraq in any format and among all age-groups. “I would like to dedicate this win to all my fellow Indian coaches who train the boys before they join us at the AIFF Academy and eventually the National Team,” India U-16 head coach Bibiano Fernandes said. “We need to start believing in ourselves. The team thanks the fans of Indian Football who have always stood by us.” Bibiano smiled when reminded about this being the first-ever Indian victory against Iraq. “Whether it’s a final or just a friendly match, when you score a winner in the dying minutes of a match, it’s always special,” he said. (PTI)