Nepal knew their Saff U-19 Championship semi-final opponents on Tuesday after India cruised to a 3-0 win over Maldives to determine the Group ‘B’ winners and runners-up.
Nepal knew their Saff U-19 Championship semi-final opponents on Tuesday after India cruised to a 3-0 win over Maldives to determine the Group ‘B’ winners and runners-up.
The victory ensured India make it to the last four as Group ‘B’ winners with maximum six points, while Afghanistan also joined them as runners-up with three points from two matches. Maldives crashed out after two successive defeats. The result meant, Group ‘A’ winners Nepal will take on Afghanistan while India play Group ‘A’ runners-up Bangladesh in the semi-finals on Thursday.
At the Anfa complex, Moinuddin, Lalramzuava Khinangte and Anirudh Thapa scored for India to end Maldives’ hopes of advancing to the last four. Maldives wasted a 44th minute penalty, three minutes after Moinuddin had put India in front. Moinuddin dispossessed Maldives defender Najah Hussain inside the area, cut past Ali Solah and scored against the defenceless goalkeeper Maeesh Mohamed. Maldives were awarded the penalty when Kamalpreet Singh handled the ball inside the area but Ibhrahim Atheeq could only found side-netting.
It took India only two minutes after resumption to double their lead as Khinangte converted a Daniel’s cross. The Indians then completed the rout when Thapa turned in a cross from Prashant Karuthadathkuni in the 71st. India coach Syed Sabir Pasha said his boys have been unable to get used to the local conditions. “Most of my boys are not accustomed to playing in such weather. We can be a much improved side if our boys get used to the local playing conditions,” said Pasha.
Maldives coach Athif Mohamed praised his team for their excellent first half display where they created a handful of scoring chances. “We lost momentum after the break. The tournament, however, gave a good exposure to my players,” he said.
24.92°C Kathmandu
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