Defending champions India made a profitable begin to their SAFF U17 Championship marketing campaign as they defeated Bangladesh by a solitary purpose in a Group A match on the Changlimithang Stadium on Friday. After struggling to breach a decided Bangladesh defence for many a part of the match regardless of full dominance over the proceedings, defender Sumit Sharma made all of the distinction with a deft header within the 90 1 minute that hit the pitch earlier than getting into the online. Substitute Manbhakupar Malngiang, who was pushed in by head coach Ishfaq Ahmed within the 78th minute, did the preliminary spadework as his measured cross into the field from the fitting caught a bunch of Bangladesh defenders on the incorrect foot.

Whereas the one purpose of the match fetched the Blue Colts three factors in a three-team group, they would definitely not really feel glad with the slim margin of victory.

Given their near-complete management over the 90 5 minute match, India might have been the runaway winners. However the grit of the Bangladesh defenders, blended with the beneficiant quantity of luck they loved, left the Indian attackers pissed off for the remainder of the interval.

Malngiang’s cross, which resulted within the purpose, was solely one of many many who tormented the Bangladesh defence again and again in each halves.

India’s two wing backs Renin Singh Chingtham and Yaipharemba Chingakham overlapped with unfailing regularity, and the 2 wingers, Vishal Yadav and Samson Ahongshangbam, had been equally aggressive of their strategy that stored the Bangladesh defence on their toes.

India stepped up on the fuel within the final 20 minutes and regarded determined to keep away from a scenario the place they could must return to the dressing room with just one level within the pocket.

Throughout this era, a long-ranger by Samson shook the crosspiece, and a header from Yaipharemba missed the goal by a whisker. Bangladesh defence withstood the storm, however the last-ditch effort by Sumit Sharma compelled them to give up all three factors.

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