South Asian Games: India Cruise Into Men’s Football Final with Comprehensive 3-0 Win over Bangladesh

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India U’23 footballers celebrate Udanta Singh’s strike . Image Source : AIFF

Guwahati : India U-23 cruised into the final of men’s football in the ongoing South Asian Games with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over neighbours Bangladesh in Guwahati on Saturday.Goals from Udanta Singh (22nd minute ) , Mawihmingthanga ( 27th minute ) and Jayesh Rane ( 65th minute ) took the colts to the final .

Udanta Singh put India into the lead in the 22nd minute . Jerry pressed Razaul Karim inside the 18-yard box forcing a bit of indecision on part of the latter. Udanta, who was complementing Jerry took advantage, sidestepped Topu Barman and pushed it into the net.

India U’23 stretched it’s lead through Mawihmingthanga in the 27th minute. Jerry’s strike from outside the box which dug deep into the right bottom corner will stay in memories for long, especially when you will remember that it came from an 18-year old.

The colts lead by 2-0 at half time . Changing over, Jayesh Rane sealed the fate in the 65th minute, a half which also saw Bangladesh Coach Gonzalo Moreno being sent to the stands.

“We were more organised in defence and midfield and though Bangladesh had more possession they were not able to penetrate,” Head Coach Lee Johnson said post match.

The second goal — “It was so encouraging to have two U-18s and a U-19 Player on the field in the second half,” Johnson stated, referring to Zuala, Jerry and Vinit Rai.

“Jerry’s goal was fantastic. But he still has a long way to go,” he added. All three, in fact!

“There were Players whom we could have selected who were available but we preferred to give these boys a chance. It’s a big achievement and good for the development of Football in India,” he maintained. “

“The scouting network set up by the AIFF is allowing us to get new boys and without giving a chance to Players you don’t get to know their potential.”

The final is slated for February 15.

The Indian women’s  national team too secured a place in the finals of the 12th South Asian Games Women’s Football Championship as the ‘Women in Blue’ steamrolled Bangladesh 5-1 in a must win clash  today at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong .

Braces from Kamala and Bala Devi and a goal from Sanju led the Indian Women to a dominating win over their opponents, who were pinned in their own defending half for much of the match. India will clash swords against Nepal in the final on February 15 .