IMAGE: India’s players celebrate a goal during the thumping win over Myanmar in the AFC Under-17 Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers, at Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Stadium, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, on Friday night. Photograph: AIFF/Twitter
India registered a hat-trick of victories in the ongoing AFC Under-17 Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers, defeating Myanmar 4-1 at the Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Stadium, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, on Friday night.
All four India strikes came in the later part of the first half, captain Vanlalpeka Guite and forward Thanglalsoun Gangte scoring two goals each.
The first half began as a battle of attrition with no major chances being created. Both the sides looked to build up from the back and control possession.
The first shot on target was in the 21st minute through Korou Singh, who shot from the edge of the penalty area but lacked sufficient power.
Six minutes later, the first breakthrough came as Guite’s free-kick from long range beat everyone in the penalty box and flew past the goalkeeper into the net. The goal sparked the game into life as India proceeded to score three more goals in a 12-minute spell.
Lalpekhlua was brought down in the penalty area in the 32nd minute and Gangte was on hand to slam home a powerful spot-kick.
Two minutes later, Guite added his second as Korou intercepted the Myanmar goalkeeper’s pass and the Indian skipper latched on to the loose ball and finished tidily.
A teasing cross from the right found an unmarked Gangte inside the penalty area three minutes from the break, but his shot went over the crossbar.
However, the forward registered his second goal of the evening in the 44th minute after finding the goalkeeper out of position and beat him with an instinctive finish from outside the box.
India picked up from where they left off in the second half, creating a flurry of attacks and posing questions to the opposing defence. At the hour mark, against the run of play, Myanmar pulled a goal back as Htoo Wai Yan’s shot took a deflection and found the back of the net.
In the 70th minute, substitute Boby Singh squared the ball to Gangte, who finished with aplomb but the goal was ruled out as the winger was caught off-side.
India takes on hosts Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
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