Pathum Thani [Thailand], June 18 (ANI): India got here again from behind to attract 1-1 in opposition to Vietnam of their opening Group D match of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-17 Asian Cup on Saturday.
Long Vu had put Vietnam within the lead in direction of the tip of the primary half, however India left-back Malemngamba Thokchom equalised within the 69th minute, to salvage a degree for India.
India’s subsequent two opponents within the group are Uzbekistan and Japan. The different match within the group between Japan and Uzbekistan led to a 1-1 draw.
It was a cautious, but controlling begin by the Blue Colts, who loved possession of the ball for big elements of the play within the Vietnam half.
Early free-kicks on both flank for India meant that Vanlalpeka Guite and Lalpekhlua Ralte might put in harmful balls into the Vietnam field, however the possibilities have been headed away.
The results of a nook by Danny Meitei was the identical, when his aerial ball, geared toward Ricky Meetei, landed on a Vietnamese head.
Akash Tirkey had an amazing probability when he dribbled previous two defenders and blasted it goalwards, however the ball went a foot large.
A few minutes previous the half-hour mark, Vietnam had their first actual probability of the sport, when Cong Phuong stood over a free kick from shut vary, however he despatched it large.
However, it was Vietnam, who took the lead in opposition to the run of play within the dying minutes of the primary half, after they cleared a nook by Danny, and Long Vu darted off previous the half-line, to provoke a counter-attack. He swiftly bumped into the Indian field and slotted it into the web.
Long Vu might have doubled the lead, however his header in added time of the primary half crashed in opposition to the upright earlier than it was cleared.
India head coach Bibiano Fernandes determined to throw Thanglalsoun Gangte into the fray, because the striker changed midfielder Akash Tirkey.
The Blue Colts started to search out their rhythm as the primary 10 minutes of the second half got here to an finish. Danny tried his luck with a again volley, but it surely was straight on the keeper.
Malemngamba Thokchom had an excellent probability after an alert Danny left a Guite go. Thokchom darted by means of from the left, and pulled the set off, but it surely solely bulged the facet netting.
A bit over the hour mark, Gangte had the proper probability when he was performed by means of by Guite, however Vietnam keeper Bao Ngoc had his line lined. The India substitute’s subsequent effort from the rebound went large.
Left-back Thokchom drew India degree with 21 minutes left on the clock, when his beautiful left-footed effort from lengthy vary nestled into the highest nook in a spectacular style, giving Ngoc no probability.
The tempo of the sport ebbed once more after Thokchom’s purpose, as Vietnam started to get pleasure from a goodly possession of the ball. It took some determined defending by Ricky and Surajkumar Singh to maintain the opponents out.
The tide turned once more within the final 5 minutes when India regarded to have the better initiative. A bit interaction between Guite and Thokchom on the left, and the previous had a free line to cross it into the field. However, the cross went large.
India had an amazing alternative to take the lead deep into added time, when a cross by captain Korou Singh was attacked by Gangte, however the shot was saved. Substitute Omang Dodum received on the rebound, however volleyed it large.
India U-17 XI: Sahil; Ricky Meetei, Pramveer, Surajkumar Singh, Malemngamba Thokchom; Gurnaj Singh Grewal, Vanlalpeka Guite, Korou Singh; Akash Tirkey (Thanglalsoun Gangte 46′), Danny Meitei (Omang Dodum 85′), Lalpekhlua Ralte (Gogocha Chungkham 65′). (ANI)