Kuala Lumpur: Vikram Singh converted a penalty in the dying minutes of the match to lead India to a 1-0 win over Vietnam in their opening match of the AFC Under-16 championship on Friday.
India dominated possession and had as many as four clear goals scoring chances but it was Vikram Singh’s strike from the spot in the 86th minute that proved decisive.
The Indian U-16 Colts could have taken the lead as early as the 8th minute when Vikram was found inside the box after Gurkirat fed him with a long ball. Vikram’s shot from inside the box went inches past the goal though.
Ricky Shabong, in the 17th minute, tried to open the goal scoring tally for India but his shot went wide of the goal after Vikram had pulled a ball back from the midfielder.
Vietnam, however, initiated their own counter-attacks frequently, but the Indian defence paired with Niraj Kumar’s goalkeeping held them at bay.
Vikram was brought down in the 83rd minute inside the box and India were awarded a penalty kick. The skipper found the back of the net in the 86th minute.
India will face the mighty Iran on Monday. (PTI)
