SAFF U-19 Championship Final: Kipgen supremacy dismantles Pakistan

The last 36 minutes were completely dominated by India as they lifted the SAFF U-19 Championship title.

India U-19 beat Pakistan U-19 by a resolute three-goal margin while also registering a clean-sheet in the final of the SAFF U-19 Championship at the Dashrath Rangasala on Saturday. The two sides were very well matched as the game was end-to-end in the beginning. Pakistan had to do some gritty defending but looked happy to do so and were actually looking compact. So much so that it had the Indian side scratching their head and trying to generate better chances from their share of possession.

All of that changed with Manglangthang Kipgen’s introduction at half-time as the game looked too easy for the creative midfielder. The #19 opened the scoring with a beautiful long-ranger from outside the box four minutes past the hour mark. He added another from a free-kick in the 85th minute. 10 minutes later he helped Gwgwmsar Goyary to etch his name onto the top of the championship goal-scorers list.

Pakistan's Ali Zafar received a red card as their built-up frustration piled onto their misery and only let them end the game with 10 men as India walked away with a spotless victory and a SAFF U-19 trophy. Here are the player ratings from the game: 

India U-19 (By Riddhiman Sarkar)

Lionel Darryl Rymmei - 7

Ferocious while defending his goal while rushing out at top speed more than once, and matching the pace of the Pakistan attackers to eventually win the 1v1s. Cheeky with his last-minute claims as he teased the already frustrated Pakistan forwards.

Ricky Meetei Haobam - 6.5

As disciplined as his counterpart on the other wing to allow India to keep a check on the Pakistan wingers and maintain a flat backline. 

Thomas Cherian - 7

Repaid the manager's faith for fielding him over the entirety of the 96 minutes by playing a crucial role in helping his side defensively as well as building up play from the back. 

Manabir Basumatary - 6.5

Tussled with the forwards and was good at building play from the back but was replaced at half-time for someone more composed and direct like Surajkumar Singh. 

A. Siba Prasad - 6.5

Maintained the backline as he rarely went ahead. Kept a close check on the wide players, often withdrawing inside to narrow down the central channel. 

Ishaan Shishodia - 6.5

Functioned as a mezzala as he went wide and made energetic runs, bursting into the box and getting a shot on goal.

Raja Harijan - 7

The deep-lying playmaker continuously posed questions to the opposition. He helped break the deadlock after drawing out opponents and teeing up Kipgen with a pass that broke through lines of pressure. 

Ebindas Yesudesan - 7

Lots of running for the midfielder but couldn’t find the sweet spots to attack in the Pakistani defense’s rarely exposed spaces. Gave way to Kipgen at half-time in what was a game-changing move.

Sahil Khurshid - 6.5

Like Naoba Meitei, Khurshid performed his duties down to the T despite not being as effective up front and in doing so allowed his team to perform like a well-oiled unit. 

Gwgwmsar Goyary - 7.5

Drifted in and out of marked areas with ease, as he played the role of a nimble holdup striker well. Wonderfully timed the header off Kipgen’s delivery to become the joint top-scorer of the SAFF U-19 Championship. 

Naoba Meitei - 6.5

Pressed high and was a threatening presence down the right flank that needed tough marking. Taken off in the 80th minute.   

Substitutes

Surajkumar Singh - 6.5

Played a vital role in picking out Raja Harijan who then lay the ball onto Kipgen’s plate to score a beauty.

Manglengthang Kipgen - 9

Super-sub Kipgen took the game by storm by rushing into advanced spaces, and that culminated in him rifling a beautiful shot into the top corner from 20 yards out. Scored another goal directly from a free-kick. Set up Goyary for India’s third, courtesy of another laser-guided cross. 

Kelvin Singh - 6.5

He was another important inclusion. Initially, it felt as it Kelvin had scored India's second goal, but later it was seen that the ball ended directly into the net from Kipgen's free-kick.

Pakistan U-19 (By Projjal Prajna Das)

Sahil Gul - 6

The Pakistani custodian was busier than his counterpart, having to make a couple of crucial saves, courtesy his weak backline colleagues. Conceded three goals in the second half. 

Muhammad Sadam - 5

The Pakistani skipper was unimpressive, giving away possession to the Indian strikers more often than not at critical junctures of the game. 

Muhammad Adeel - 4

The Pakistan defender was unable to guard his goal from the advancing Indian forwards who peppered around crosses and goals against his side. 

Khurshid Alam - 4

Sloppy in the defense as he committed several poor tackles in the box, with one offense which should have been deemed a penalty. 

Muhammad Raheel - 5

The defender couldn't save his side from conceding thrice as the Indian attackers capitalised on their weak backline. 

Muhammad Azan - 5

The defensive midfielder didn't execute his duties as expected and failed to plug his holes in the defense. 

Najeeb Ullah - 4

The Pakistani winger was unable to convert his runs into something significant as Pakistan were playing catch-up to India the entire time. 

Ali Zafar - 6.5

Like his teammate Younus, Ali made a few runs down the middle but wans't successful in converting any of his chances. Got a red card in the dying embers of the game

Shah Jahan - 4

The striker failed to mark his presence in the game as Pakistan never got going as far as their attack was concerned. 

Muhammad Adeel Younus - 7

The brightest star in the Pakistani line-up showed promise with his blistering runs down the left and nearly outfoxed his opponents in the box. 

Kamil Ahmad Khan - 3

The striker was unable to convert any chances for his team.

Substitutes

Muhammad Haroon Zafar - 3.5

The only Pakistani substitute was unable to plug his seeping backline.