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India beat Nepal by a solitary goal in difficult playing conditions to clinch the 2013 Under 16 SAFF Championship. The match was played in front of over 10,000 spectators at the Dashrath Ground in Kathmandu, Nepal.
India took the lead in the 20th minute as 15-year-old defender Jerry Lalrinzuala from Mizoram scored a screamer.
Nepal fought hard to come back into the game but 13-year-old Indian custodian Dheeraj Singh kept the Nepalese attack at bay, making some crucial saves throughout the game.
The scoreline remained the same at the end of 90 minutes, as India managed to hold back the home team, much to the disappointment of the raucous home crowd. 4 minutes of injury time were added, but the Indian defence stood their ground.
India reached the final after beating Afghanistan 4-3 in a tense penalty shootout, while Nepal entered the finals as favourites after thrashing Bangladesh 5-1 in the other semifinal.
This victory will come as a shot in the arm for Indian football, and hopefully is a sign of things to come.
AIFF, India senior team laud colts’ effort
AIFF President Mr. Praful Patel said the boys made him “proud” after winning the SAFF U16 Championship.
“The boys make us proud. Youth Development stays on the top of AIFF’s priority list,” he said.
Indian national team Coach Wim Koevermans, too, congratulated the boys for the triumph.
AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das praised the effort of the boys, saying, “What is extremely satisfying is that all of them are U-15 boys. They were medically tested prior to the Championship. AIFF follows a zero tolerance to age-cheating.”
India captain Sunil Chhetri said the feat acts as a “motivation for the senior team”.
“I am really happy for the boys. It’s a great feat. I would like to congratulate the entire team and support staff. It also acts as a motivation for us as we play the same Championship in another month’s time,” he said.
Scott O’Donell, Technical Director of the AIFF Academies, who has been planning the setting-up of the AIFF Academies couldn’t have been more satisfied. “They are a wonderful set of boys. I’m proud of them. Keep it up and enjoy the moment.”
