Ratings: Levis Zangminlun power India to SAFF U-16 Championship title

India beat Bangladesh by a two goal margin

India U-16 beat Bangladesh U-16 by a solid two-goal margin while also registering a clean sheet in the final of the SAFF U-16 Finals at Thimpu on Sunday. Bangladesh looked to be able to get ahold of the game at the very beginning but soon lost footing as India’s terrific midfield organized the game neatly.

Blue Colts’ star boy Levis was soon at the helm of the proceedings. The midfielder teed up striker Bharat for the opener following a miss pass from right-back Imran Khan in the 7th minute. After a barrage of attacks, the Bengal Tigers were relieved at the sounding of the half-time whistle. Soon afterward another onslaught of well-orchestrated attacks were initiated by India in the second half. Bangladesh’s inability to get ahold of the midfield left them pried open in the middle. It also meant they had to resort to meaningless long balls and rely on set-pieces to score. While they didn’t work out either, India went on to score the second through Levis in the 71st minute. The number 8 smashed home a brilliant shot from the edge of the box that rattled the top corner, following a counterattack. Bangladesh were never so close yet so far from the trophy as the two-time winners succumbed to a defeat as the Indian players ran amok with glee after the full-time whistle. Here are the player ratings from the game: 

India U-16 (By Riddhiman Sarkar)

Aheibam Suraj Singh - 6.5

Didn’t have a lot to do as India’s midfield snuffed out Bangladesh’s attacks mostly. Faced a few set-pieces but recovered the ball calmly or was fouled in a hurry.

Thoungamba Singh Usham- 7

As versatile as his counterpart on the other wing while bombing down the flank on attacks and coming back up to mark his man. 

Mohammed Kaif- 7

Decisive with his last-minute challenges and while dribbling out from the back, belying his towering stature. 

Karish Soram- 7

Good performance from the ball-playing centre-back who made a few vital interceptions and was responsible for covering the attacker’s runs. 

Yaipharemba Chingakham - 7

Positioned high up the pitch as he continuously pegged the winger back and cut inside to have a shot on goal and was aggressive in defending from the front foot. 

Levis Zangminlun - 9

India’s brightest player was seen bursting out stepovers and jinking past Bangladesh with ease as he set up striker Bharat for the opener and then scored himself in the second half with a belter of an outside-the-box finish.

Mate Ngamgouhou - 7

Controlled the game from deep in midfield, dropping deep between Kaif and Soram at times and helping regulate passes between Levis and Samson to free up the forwards.

Samson Ahongshangbam- 7

Played his part to perfection in a well-oiled midfield engine as a number 8. Subbed off in the 90th minute for Rishi Singh.

Vishal Yadav - 6.5

Good work dropping back to help out Thoungamba on the right flank and was crucial in helping open up spaces for Levis and Bharat. 

Bharat Lairenjam- 7.5

Brilliant movement from the young striker as he was constantly seen pressing Bangladesh’s backline and making use of his blistering pace to run into dangerous areas. Got himself on the scoresheet following one such move and went on to form a brilliant one-two partnership multiple times later on with Levis.

Md Arbash - 6.5

Good work rate on and off the ball for the tournament topscorer, but was replaced deep into the second half.   

Substitutes

Aiborlang Kharthangmaw- N/A

Rishi Singh  - N/A

Manbhakupar Malngiang - 6.5

Didn’t really have much to do as he drifted inside and allowed Yaipharemba to dash behind on an overlap 

Bobby Singh- 6.5

Held the midfield in place and although he was not too good, he got the job done. 

Bangladesh U-16 (By Rutvij Joshi)

Md Nahidul Islam  5 

 His hesitation to clear the ball cost Bangladesh the game. He also made another error in the first half where he couldn’t connect a backpass from Omit which nearly went in the back of the net . Apart from that he made some regulation saves.

Md Imran Khan 6:

Put in a shift on the right-hand side and did reasonably well in the defensive front.

Md Ismail Hossen 7

Did well to contain the silky robin Yadav and did not give a sniff to the Indian attack. His reading of the game was brilliant and was well-positioned to see off multiple counterattacks.

Md Abu Rayhan  6 

He was at fault for not covering the angle for the second goal. He was also caught off guard in India’s long range attempt in  the 81st minute. Fortunately for him the goal was ruled offside.

Md Siam Omit 7 

Most of the attacks of Bangladesh came from the left and Omit was a menace for the Indian defense with his low crosses in the box.

Md Kamal Merdha 6 

Sat in between the midfield and intercepted balls and helped in buildup . 

Md Mithu 5

Mitu’s role was to dictate the tempo but was all over the place. His poor positioning was exploited by India which meant Bangladesh couldn’t control the game when they pressed the Indian side for a brief period.

Nazmul Faysal 8

Easily the best player for Bangladesh. Did well to create spaces and had a couple of good shots as well but Indian defenders were too good as a unit.

Md Mursed Ali 5 

Time and again fell prey to India's offside trap and couldn’t penetrate in from right. Replaced in the 38th minute 

Md Abu Sayed 6 

Started as a left winger was shifted to Right wing but couldn’t do damage to the Indian side.

Swe Mong Sing Marma 5 

Led the line but he was inefficient to put the ball in the back of the net despite decent chances created.

Substitutes

Abdullah Junaid Chisty 6

Replaced Nursed Ali did well to combine with Faysal and occasionally helped out the defence

Ashikur Rahman 4

Replaced Md Ismail Hossien but was poorer than him

M H Mohibbullah 6

Came in 72nd minute didn’t trouble India was mostly contained in his own half

Sheikh Sangram 5

Replaced Mithu in the midfield did not improve the team

Arman Miah (N/A) 

Came in last two minutes. Did not have anything to do