India thrash Nepal 7-0 and lift SAFF U-15 title for a record third time

The U-15 Indian football team beat Nepal 7-0 to lift the SAFF U-15 2019 Championships at the Kalyani Stadium on August 31. 

Striker Sridarth Nongmeikapam scored a hat-trick while Maheson Singh, Amandeep, Sibajit Singh and Himanshu Jangra scored one apiece. 

Tournament MVP
Top scorer
Goal in the final

What a #U15SAFF tournament for Himanshu Jangra! #IndianFootball #BackTheBlue  pic.twitter.com/pnNdepOuMQ

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) August 31, 2019

The Indian side - coached by Bibiano Fernandes - scored 28 goals, without conceding any in the 5 matches (including the final).

The victory meant India are now the most successful team in the tournament's history -- winning the title for a record third time - with wins in 2013 and 2017, both which came in Nepal.

"I would like to thank each one of my support staff, the AIFF management at Football House, and SAI for their support,” Bibiano maintained at the post-match press conference.

“We are happy to be champions. We came here with an aim, and we have achieved it. This was a preparation for the AFC Qualifiers and it makes us confident about what we can achieve,” he added, according to AIFF website.

“I am extremely happy the manner boys responded. They kept up the momentum and the intensity since the first match. I am extremely proud of them.”

FULL-TIME CHAMPIONS

Matches
Goals 

Take a bow, @23ibiano and boys! 

 7-0 

: https://t.co/l4lPz70dB9#INDNEP  #BackTheBlue  #U15SAFF  #IndianFootball  pic.twitter.com/yTDqXfZwD4

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) August 31, 2019

Captain Anish Majumdar said, "This wouldn’t have been possible without us sticking together as a team. I need to thank the Coach and all our staff for their guidance, and believing in us,” according to AIFF website.

Bibiano Fernandes' side now has the AFC U-16 Championships 2020 qualifiers which is scheduled to take place from September 18-22, 2019. The Indians have been drawn in Group B and will face hosts Uzbekistan, Bahrain and Turkmenistan.

India Starting XI: Aman Sahani (GK), Pritam Meetei, P. Singson, Anish Mazumder (C), Amandeep, Sibajit Singh (Himanshu Jangra 46'), Shubho Paul (Isac Zomuanpuia 88'), Sridarth N., Maheson Singh, Taison Singh (Ratanbi Singh 72'), Yoihenba Meitei