India begin U-15 SAFF campaign with a narrow defeat to Pakistan

The Colts got a second-half equalizer, but their rivals grabbed a late winner in the dying embers of the game.

The Indian U-15 National Team started their title defence of the SAFF U-15 Championship and opened their campaign with a 2-1 loss against Pakistan in their first match at the ANFA Complex in Kathmandu, Nepal today (October 25, 2018).

A late goal by Pakistan in the 85th minute proved to be the difference between the two sides in a tightly contested match where the opponents had taken the lead in the first half, only to be equalized in the 53rd minute by the Indian Colts.

The Indian Colts started the match on an attacking note and dominated possession. Chances although were created, failed to see the light of day as the opponents flooded bodies in defence. In the 30th minute, Pakistan took the lead after Adnan Justin found the back of the Indian net from close range and at the half-way point the scoreline read 1-0 in Pakistan’s favour.

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In the second half, the Indian Colts wasted little time and got into the thick of affairs. Finding an opportunity to test the opposition custodian at almost every minute upped the ante for the Indian colts.

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India equalized their deficit in the 53rd minute when Thlacheu Vanlalruatfela broke free of the Pakistani defence and latched onto a through ball, bundling it home with ease to make the scoreline read 1-1. But Pakistan had other plans. A goal in the 85th minute for Pakistan gave the opponents the lead as the scoreline read 2-1 and they held onto the lead as the full-time scoreline read 2-1 in Pakistan’s favour.

The Indian U-15 National Team will clash swords against Bhutan next on October 27, 2018, in their last group stage match of the Championship. The semi-finals of the SAFF U-15 Championship are slated for November 01, 2018 while the final is on November 03, 2018.