India beats Nepal to secure semifinal spot in SAFF U-16 Championship

India secured the highest spot in Group A of the SAFF U-16 Championship to seal its berth within the semifinals, defeating Nepal 1-0 on the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Wednesday.

The Blue Colts produced a dominant efficiency towards Nepal and have been denied by the woodwork on 4 events, as they secured the victory by only one aim, which was scored by Mohammed Arbash within the first half.

While Nepal loved barely longer bouts of possession in the midst of the park, the Blue Colts appeared to penetrate, largely by means of Vishal Yadav on the suitable wing.

Usham Singh, India’s aim scorer within the earlier match towards Bangladesh, had the right alternative to place his aspect within the lead throughout the first quarter-hour when he ran onto a cross from the suitable contained in the Nepal penalty field, however he despatched his effort into the woodwork.

Nepal’s captain, Subash Bam was a continuing menace down the left, and Usham Singh needed to put in a double shift to maintain him in examine.

India lastly had the breakthrough three minutes after the half-hour mark, when Yadav scampered in from the suitable and despatched a cut-back to Md Arbash, who smashed it residence on the close to submit.

With half-time approaching, the Blue Colts had a slightly nervy second when Nepal’s first-half substitute, Himesh Majhi, intercepted a defensive go by Mohammed Kaif close to the Indian field. However, Mate Ngamgouhou was readily available to grab the ball from him and avert the hazard.

ALSO READ: King’s Cup 2023: Litmus take a look at for India to seek out its subsequent No. 9 with FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers forward

Mate was within the thick of issues as soon as once more after the changeover, this time making a foray down the left, seeking to put a ball into the Nepal field, however he was quickly fouled. The ensuing free-kick went over the woodwork.

Just a little after the hour mark, Vishal jinked into the Nepal field and proceeded to the aim line, in search of a cut-back, however went down below a heavy problem. A subsequent blow of the whistle by the referee created some confusion because the Indians thought that they had received a penalty. The referee, nonetheless, had adjudged the ball to have travelled over the road.

After a interval of play when the 2 sides cancelled one another out within the center, the closing phases of the sport turned out to be way more of an end-to-end affair. Bobby Singh, who got here on as an alternative within the final 10 minutes, appeared vigorous, drifting throughout the entrance line, inflicting confusion among the many Nepal defenders.

In the 86th minute, Rishi Singh was unfortunate to not have given India the two-goal cushion as his shot from outdoors the field hit the crossbar. Minutes later, Mate swivelled previous his marker and performed a by means of ball to Malngiang, who was seeking to put it into the underside nook, however Nepal’s keeper Pemba Bhote got here out of his line to clear his traces.

Nepal captain had two golden alternatives to degree the scores in added time, however Yaipharemba Chingkham blocked each pictures to keep up the established order as India secured its second win of the competitors and the highest spot in Group A.