India to face host Nepal in the final of SAFF U-15 Championship 2017

Vikram Pratap Singh, Hapreet, and Ridge Melvin scored goals in India U-15 victory over Bhutan U-15.

The India U-15 dominated the Bhutan U-15 with a 3-0 win as they reached the Final of the SAFF U-15 Championships today (August 25, 2017) at the Halchowk Ground in Kathmandu, Nepal. Vikram, Harpreet and Ridge being the goal scorers in the 20th, 75th and 91st minute respectively to secure the victory.

India dominated from the word go with Vikram’s shot coming off the post in the 3rd minute itself. The boys strung successful passes but were unable to break the deadlock before Vikram’s powerful attempt from right outside the box found the back of the net. 

The rest of the half was about close chances and missed targets as Bekey and Gurkirat both came close while Vikram was once again unlucky to find the post. The half ended with India leading 1-0.

India came out even stronger in the 2nd half as the ball was kept mostly inside the Bhutan half of the field. Vikram and Ricky both saw their shots being saved as the second goal remained elusive for the rampant Indian side. Bekey made way for Harpreet in the 70th minute and substitute delivered when he ensured Ravi’s cross found the net in the 75th minute 2-0 to India.

Vikram the goal scorer was then replaced with Ridge Melvin and Basumatary making took Gurkirat’s place. The impact was almost immediate as the Bhutan goalie was forced to make a fine save to thwart Basumatary. Soon after Ridge scored the final goal to make it a 3-0 win for India.

India U-15 will now face hosts Nepal U-15 side on August 27, 2017.

3-0  

Full-time: India U15 3-0 Bhutan. India qualifies for the Final to be played against host Nepal.

Nepal defeated Bangladesh 4-2 to win the second semifinal. 

90+2'  GGOOOOOOOALLL!!!!! Substitute Ridge Melvin Scored to make it 3-0 for India.

90+1' 3 Minutes of the added time.

90' Bhutani defenders making long clearance to kill the time. 

86' Bhutan made a couple of changes to bring fresh players from the bench. 

82' Bikram Pratap Singh replaced by Melvin from the bench. 

80' Indian players are looking for more goals here at Halchowk ground. 

76' GOOOOALLLLL!!! HARPREET SINGH SCORED with a brilliant header. Gurkirat Singh with this assist. 

74' Foysa Scored for Bangladesh against Nepal to make it 3-2 in the second semifinal. Game on at ANFA complex.

73' Bibiano Fernandes brings on Harpreet in place of the Beekey. 

72' Not much action in this match whereas Bangladesh has pulled one back against host Nepal in the second semifinal at ANFA Complex.

70' Bhutan's coach Song Lee said before the match that his side can challenge for the championship this time. Young players from Land of the Thunder Dragon has made their coach proud with this fighting performance. 

67' Corner kick to India. Bekey takes the kick. Bhutani Goalkeeper fouled while clearing the ball. Free kick to Bhutan. 

66' Meanwhile Nepal takes three goals lead against Bangladesh in the second semifinal at ANFA complex. Dominating performance from Junior Gorkhali.

64'  Goal scorer Bikram Pratap Singh finds himself free in the 25-yard distance, powerful kick, inches wide from the pole.

62'  Corner kick to India. Kelzang clears the ball outside the box, Sailo finds the kick, straight into the hands of goalie Karma.

60' Brilliant Performance from Bhutan to hold India until sixty minutes, Bhutan also has a couple of U-13 players playing in this championship. 

58'  Rickey John shot easily saved by Bhutani goalkeeper. 

52' Free kick to India after Beekey is brought down by Bhutan defender,  Ravi Bahadur Rana to takes it.

Nothing comes out of it, goal kick to Bhutan. 

49' All India-India in the early few minutes of the second half. Do you guys think India will score more goals or Bhutan will be able to maintain this scoreline? 

46' Second half starts at Halchowk ground.

After winning Hero tri-nation Series India's head coach Stephen Constantine has said that "I am not interested in giving debuts to kids who I don’t think have potential". Read full post match conference report here.

At ANFA complex host Nepal is leading by two goals against Bangladesh in the second semi final. 

45+2' At half time Vikram Pratap Singh goal is the difference between both the side in the first semifinal of SAFF U-15 Championship. 

45' 2 Minutes of the added time. 

43' Free kick to Bhutan. Loday Wangchuk takes the kick, brilliant one, the ball goes inches above the bar.

Small trivia for you guys: How many goals India will be scoring in this match? Tell your views in the comment section below. 

38' From the looks of it India's head coach Bibiano Fernandes demanding more from his players as with just one goal lead Bhutan can sneak back in the game. 

37' Gurkirat Singh with a couple of shots on goal which are easily collected by Bhutani goalkeeper.

35' Bhutan's coach Song Lee will be happy with scoreline considering India dominated against Maldives and Nepal in the group stage matches. 

30' Akash Buda Magar doubles Nepal lead against Bangladesh in the second semifinal at ANFA complex. If scoreline remains same in the both matches we will see Nepal Vs India final. 

27' Bikram Pratap Singh does POGBA there, shot from 25 yards out hit the woodwork. Brilliant technique for that shot from India attacking midfielder. 

25' First notable move from Bhutan. Jigdrel tries to releases the ball to Kelzang but Indian goalie makes a save.

24' Another chance for India, Beekey shots just goes wide. We will be not surprised if he will be given chance in FIFA U-17 World Cup squad very soon. 

22' Blue Colts are creating more chances now which resulted in the corner. Beekey takes it, easily collected by Bhutani goalkeeper.

20' GOOOOALLLLL!!! Vikram Pratap Singh Scored for the India U-15. A powerful shot from Vikram which made Bhutani goalkeeper spectator to watch.

16' Local Nepali fans are cheering for the Bhutan and every touch of Bhutani players are cheered by the local crowd.

13' Leading goal scorer in the championship Ravi Bahadur Rana's shot from just outside the box goes whisker away from the goal.

10' First 10 Minutes India is the better side but Bhutan players somehow manage to keep scoreline 0-0. 

7' At ANFA complex Nepal has taken the lead against Bangladesh in the second semi final.

3' Vikram Pratap sing header goes wide after good work down the right wing by Bekey Oram. 

2' India in the traditional Blue Jersey whereas Bhutan is in the white.

India defeated Maldives by 9-0 in the first match of the championship followed by 2-1 victory over Nepal

1' Kick off! India starts the proceeding here at Halchowk ground.

2:45:30 PM: Pre match formalities are done and both sides are ready for the kickoff.

2:42:28 PM: Host Nepal will be playing against Bangladesh in another semi final which will be played simultaneously at ANFA complex. 

India topped the group B with six points while Bhutan became runners up to enter semifinals.

India U15 Playing XI: Lalbiakhlua Jongte, Thoiba Singh, Harpreet Singh, Shabas Ahamad, Gurkirat Singh, Vikram Pratap, Ravi Bahadur Rana, Bekey Oram, Sailo, Aenam Jyrwa, Rickey John

Bhutan U15 playing XI: Tobden Drakpa, Siddartha Gurung, Jigme Phuntso, Jigdrel Wangchuk, Loday Wangchuk, Sherub Dorji, Kelzang Jigmi, Kinley Dorji, Kingwa Wangchuk, Namgyal (C), Karma Nima

Coverage of SAFF U15 Championship 2017:- 

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