India U-16 Boys beat Tajikistan, qualify for Asian finals

The India Under-16 boys scored a vital 4-1 victory against Tajikistan in their final match to confirm their qualification for the AFC Under-16 Championships next year. With nine points from four matches India will finish amongst the top two in Group C to be amongst the Top 16 teams amongst under-16s in Asia.

The India youngsters were able to turn things around in style after the 9-0 trashing against the Uzbek's a couple of days back. The match didn't start well as Komron Tursonov gave Tajikistan a 16th minute lead from a penalty, but a 24th minute free-kick from captain Lalramzuava levelled matters before striker Uttam Rai gave India the 2-1 lead in the 42nd minute.

After the break stopper Sarthak Golui headed in Raja Rawat's free-kick in the 61st minute, while striker Daniel Lalhlimpuia sealed matters with a last minute strike to earn India a deseving qualification and it was celbration time thereafter for the under-16 boys.

Congratulations came pouring. The AIFF President Praful Patel congratulated the boys and the Head Coach of Youth Development Colm Toal on this achievement. "There is clear indication that Indian football is moving ahead. We beat some of the best teams in Asia to qualify for the Final Phase," he said in a statement.

AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das also lauded the boys by saying, "I congratulate the boys and Colm Toal for the way he has been nurturing our Youth Development Teams, which is now yielding results. I am very optimistic that our current initiative with FIFA for setting up Regional and Elite Academies will go a long way in taking Indian football to the next level."

Coach Thomas Joseph attributed the victory to an overall 'team effort.'

"Everyone has made a sacrifice – right from the boys to the team management. All have been away from their families for long. Hence, the satisfaction level stays higher," he maintained.

The Uzbek Football Federation, generous as ever, lauded the Indian Team's performance. "India deserves to be in the Final Phase," stayed the common sentiment among those present. The boys in the dressing room had gone berserk by then. Seeded fifth in the five-team Group, they overcame all to qualify for the Final Phase next year – the venue for which is yet to be finalised.

In the Team Bus, Bollywood songs made rounds; some sang regional folk songs, and danced. The rest clicked.

A tough group has been overcome, now the big boys of Asia will wait in next years final. Now the boys can enjoy the moment, but a lot of hard work awaits them in the coming months.


India
1-Supratim Bhattacharjee; 2-Myron Mendes, 4-Sajid Dhot, 5-Sarthak Golui, 6-Nabin Rabha (64' 3-Suman Saha); 22-Harmanjot Singh (30' 35-Allen Deory), 7-Nitin Jyal (89' 8-Germanpreet Singh), 15-Lalramzuava [C], 14-Raja Rawat; 9-Uttam Rai, 10-Daniel Lalhlimpuia