Playing country’s first-ever FIFA World Cup match, hosts’ U-17 boys fight valiantly before going down 3-0 to strong USA outfit
This was the moment every Indian football fan was waiting for. Playing FIFA's World Cup match for the first time and that too in front of their home crowd was enough to pep up every single U-17 Indian player.
And they didn't disappoint. Losing 0-3 to FIFA U-17 World Cup's strongest team US can only be termed as a brave effort. And, the hosts almost opened their scoreline in the 83rd minute with Anwar Ali's kick bouncing off the goal post.
Indian boys played their hearts out as they managed to hold US for first 30 minutes. The Indian defence did well to keep the Americans at bay barring one clear-cut chance in the 13th minute. But it was a clumsy challenge from Jitendra Singh to US skipper Josh Sargent in the 29th minute that forced referee to award first penalty of the game.
Sargent didn't not falter at this point and scored the first goal with an easy push to the right.
For India, Komal Thatal showed some artistry in the left flank but never really threatened US defence. Indian forward line was finding it tough to get past their better-built opponents. Despite that hosts improved their forward play since conceding the first goal.
Aniket Jadhav looked dangerous towards the end of first half but he too lacked power to finish off the move. The half-time whistle went off at this time with just a lone goal separating the two teams.
The second half started on a speedy note as US nearly scored one more against India but the off-side flag went up in time. Andrew Carlton's move was also denied by an outstanding Indian goalie Dheeraj Singh.
But the 51st minute saw Chris Durkin doubling US lead with a deflected-strike. In stead of getting disheartened by 2-0 deficit, India went all out in the remaining time pushing their much superior opponents in every department of the game.
A defensive mix-up gave Thotal a golden chance to open the account for India, but his chip shot flew over the US goal. Americans came back in their trademark style by attempting to make it three in the counter attack. However, Ayo Akinola shot was much up from Indian goal post.
Thotal made yet another run towards US goal by taking Aniket along before the similar end result.
In the 82nd minute, when Anwar's fine kick came back from the post to deny India their best chance of the game, US picked that magnificently to make it three on the counter-attack. Carlton beat the defence and cleverly put the ball in the back of the net.
India were certainly 0-3 down and that remained the end result. But the scoreline was not the reflection of how Indian boys played for entire 90-minute duration. Hosts have shown that they can compete at this highest level. And the next game against Colombia could well be an opportunity for them to show their resilience.
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