AFC Under-16 Championship: India draw China 2-2, but out of competition

The India Under-16 boys held China to a two-all draw through an injury-time Myron Mendes penalty in their final Group D match at the Rah Ahan Stadium in Tehran, but it was not enough to progress to the quarterfinals as India finished bottom of the group with two points from three matches.

With Syria winning 1-0 against Uzbekistan, the west Asians top the group with five points ahead of Uzbekistan who finish on four points and China were denied by India's late goal a place in the last eight as they finish on three points after three draws just ahead of India on two.

China put pressure on India from the start, but it was India who went ahead as a nice Daniel Lalhlimpuia finish gave them the 1-0 lead in the 19th minute, but China didn't take long to turn things around as first Wang Jinxian equalised a couple of minutes later and then the Reds took the lead through a Zhang Yuning strike in the 33rd minute. At the break China led 2-1, but India were lucky not to have conceded more.

After the break it was again an open game, but not set of defenders mainly stood their ground and the goalkeepers were rarely tested. India did have their chances as they knew only a win might keep them in the competition, but only an injury time penalty goal from Myron Mendes helped India to equalise which was not enough. It ended 2-2 between China and India with both teams eliminated.


MATCH STATS

China 2-2 (2-1) India - Goals: 0-1 Daniel Lalhlimpuia (19'), 1-1 Wang Jinxian (21'), 2-1 Zhang Yuning (33'), 2-2 Myron Mendes (90+4')

China
12-Chen Wei - 2-Li Hailong (87' 15-Chen Weiming), 3-Huang Chuang, 5-Li Xiaoming, 11-Liu Hao - 4-Yao Daogang, 10-Chen Kerui (84' 8-Lin Liangming), 13-Hu Jinghang (90+4' 18-Li Zhiheng), 22-Chen Yi - 9-Wang Jinxian [C], 17-Zhang Yuning
Unused Subs: 1-Chen Zhao, 21-Fan Jinming; 6-Yang Liyu, 7-Zhang Xiuwe, 14-Sun Weizhe, 16-Huang Cong, 19-Xu Qigong, 20-Jiang Minwen, 23-Wu Wei

India
20-Supratim Bhattacharjee - 8-Myron Mendes, 4-Gurba Gagrai, 7-Mohammed Sajid Dhot, 11-Sarthak Golui - 15-Alen Deory, 18-Germanpreet Singh, 22-Khiangte Lalramzuava [C], 3-Raja Rawat (77' 21-Issac Vanmalswama) - 10-Uttam Rai (87' 13-Vanlalduatsanga), 14-Daniel Lalhlimpuia
Unused Subs: 1-Agaipal Singh, 23-Avinash Kumar; 2-Nitin Jyal, 5-Jimmy Maibam, 6-Manraj Singh, 9-Nabin Rabha, 12-Vivekananda Sagayaraj, 16-Kamalpreet Singh, 17-Geremsha Basumatary, 19-Hanan Javed Nellikkavil

Referee
Naser Al-Ghafary (Jordan)

AFC Under-16 Championship: India need to beat China to progress

The India Under-16 boys go into their third and final Group D match against China in the AFC Under-16 Championship knowing that only a win could take them into the quarterfinals. Anything else, a draw or a loss, would mean sure elimination from the group stage though the outcome depends on what happens in the groups other match Uzbekistan vs Syria, then if Syria win then India is eliminated even with a win.

If India progress, then it would be the first time since 2002 that an Indian Sub-Junior side would make it into the quarterfinals of the continental competition.

India's game organisation has come in for praise, but now it isn't just about organisation but also about scoring goals against China.

"Hold your opponent. Hold him and your teammate will get that extra second to recover," Colm Toal stresses in the team meeting and the boys listen with their eyes open.

"China come into the match against us with two very good performances (draws against Syria and Uzbekistan). I have watched them play and they are a good team who have some very good individual players," Toal speaks.

His rival Chinese counterpart Su Mozahen informs, "Our goal is to qualify for the U-17 World Cup and play good football in the process. We are here with a purpose like all other Chinese teams in any sport."

"It will be a big test for us as it would be for any Indian Team against any Chinese team. I hope the boys have enough left in the tank and be able to raise their performance in the last Group League match," Toal adds. "It's creditable for us to be in this situation and we have a realistic chance of making it to the quarterfinals."

A lot is at stake for both sides with one-third of the world's population involved in the match.

AFC Under-16 Championship: India and Syria play out goalless draw

The India Under-16 boys and their Syrian counterparts played out a goalless draw in their second Group D match in the AFC Under-16 Championships at the Rah Ahan Stadium in Tehran. India now have a point from two matches and still have a chance to qualify for the quarterfinals.

The Indians were not overawed by the physically stronger Syrians but Colm Toal's wards took a defensive approach and resorted to a long-ball counter-attack tactic throughout while the Syrians tried to break the Indian defence without avail and when they did keeper Supratim Bhattacharjee was there.

The initial Indian thrust almost paid dividends when in the sixth minute captain Lalramzuava's free-kick from the edge of the box beat all only to hit the post and bounce back. Three minutes later, rival goalkeeper Khaled Ibrahim gathered the ball in time before either Sarthak Golui or Uttam Rai could pounce upon. Thereafter Syria had more of the ball though not being really dangerous as India stood its ground. Then Syrian Ahmad Ashqar's freekick in the 34th minute did not trouble goalie Supratim Bhattacharjee while Abdulatef Salkeni, who was later substituted, missed a closed range header in the 39th minute. It remained goalless at the break.

Syria came out with all guns blazing after the break and put India on the backfoot, but they survived this phase and in the 50th minute, a diving Khaled kept off a Alen Deory effort and the very next minute, Uttam Rai's touch just got that bit longer as he had almost got past rival central defender Jehad Bssmar, who had an outstanding game and denied Uttam Rai on the few occasions he broke trough.

Thereafter Syria continued to control proceedings, but India had their chances of counter-attacks like in the 73rd minute, when Uttam Rai broke past the entire defence but the Syrians jointly managed to deny the Sikkimese youngster. Towards the end Syria once again put pressure on India, but the South Asians once more survived the pressure and the match ended goalless.

India play their third and final Group League match against China on Thursday, September 27 at the Rah Ahan Stadium in Tehran.


MATCH STATS

India 0-0 Syria - Goals: none

India
20-Supratim Bhattacharjee - 4-Gurba Gagrai, 7-Mohammed Sajid Dhot, 8-Myron Mendes, 11-Sarthak Golui - 15-Alen Deory (74' 17-Geremsha Basumatary), 18-Germanpreet Singh, 22-Khiangte Lalramzuava [C] (66' 2-Nitin Jyal), 3-Raja Rawat (66' 21-Issac Vanmalswama) - 10-Uttam Rai, 14-Daniel Lalhlimpuia
Unused Subs: 1-Agaipal Singh, 23-Avinash Kumar; 5-Jimmy Maibam, 6-Manraj Singh, 9-Nabin Rabha, 12-Vivekananda Sagayaraj, 13-Vanlalduatsanga, 16-Kamalpreet Singh, 19-Hanan Javed Nellikkavil

Syria
1-Khaled Ibrahim - 2-Obela Sharbek, 21-Jehad Bssmar, 23-Mahmoud Karzoun, 14-Moumen Naji - 8-Tarek Almohammad Hndawi [C], 6-Ahmad Ashqar, 20-Mohamad Baraa Diyar Bakrli, 19-Bakr Ghalyoum (78' 7-Omar Mshhdani) - 9-Mohamad Rabee Srour (58' 15-Khaled Kourdoghli), 11-Abdulatef Salkeni (74' 5-Fahmi Hasan)
Unused Subs: 16-Alaa Al Omar, 22-Abdullah Alishak; 3-Abdullah Jniat, 10-Ali Baaj, 12-Fares Almozal, 13-Shahin Mohamad, 17-Subie Alhusni, 18-Mohamad Alomran

Referee
Strebre Delovski (Australia)

AFC Under-16 Championship: India face Syria in crucial match tomorrow

After their opening day 2-3 loss against title contenders Uzbekistan, the India Under-16 boys go into their second Group D match against Syria in the AFC Under-16 Championship in Tehran knowing that at least a couple or ideally a win could help their cause to qualify for the quarterfinals, while a loss could mean the end of their hopes.

After the loss against Uzbekistan the young Indians were a disappointed lot, then a point against a superior opponent was surely in their grasp.

Speaking about the next opponent head coach Colm Toal said, "Syria are a very tough side. They have some good individual players."

"We are looking forward to another tough game. They are strong and aggressive who can play football at the same time. They need to be lauded for their fighting spirit – the manner in which they came back to equalise in injury time (against China)," Colm adds.

"We couldn't prepare much because of the situation back home. I am confident about the ability of my boys but they haven’t been tested so far," Syrian coach Muhannad Alfakeer said.

"We have played International Friendlies against Oman and Jordan prior to coming here," he adds.

Meanwhile looking back Colm Toal said, "It was disappointment against Uzbekistan. Having shown so much improvement since the last time we played them, it's frustrating not to get a result which we deserved."

"There's hardly any recovery time for the players. The injuries sustained need to be healed and the physical reaction of the boys, whether the boys would be able to recover in time would play an important role,” he quips further.

"Our game is based on organisation and pressing. We do a lot of running around. The boys will have to be 100 percent fit," Colm ended.

India have a tough task on hand against Syria tomorrow at the Rah Ahan Stadium in Tehran.

AFC Under-16 Championship: Uzbekistan beat India 3-2 in a thriller!

A spirited India came back from twice being a goals down, but still lost 2-3 against 2010 runners-up Uzbekistan in the Group D opening match of the AFC Under-16 Championshipat the Rah Ahan Stadium in Tehran on Sunday.

India had the first chance of the match in the 6th minute when striker Daniel Lalhimpuia anticipated well and latched onto a loose ball but the rival goalkeeper Eshbutaev Shokrukhjon recovered well in time to palm his intended overhead lob away. A couple of minutes later Uzbek forward Mukhiddin Odilov sneaked in to gather a pass from Izzatilla Abdullaev and rounded off Indian goalie Supratim Bhattacharjee to give his side the lead. The Uzbeks were the more mature side on display, but a brilliant Supratim Bhattacharjee and his defence denied the central Asians more goals in the first session.

The second session would be high on class and four goals would be scored. India regrouped in the and equalised in the 47th minute when talented striker Uttam Rai headed in Daniel Lalhimpuia's freekick from the corner of the inner box. But the lead didn't last long as in the 53rd minute, Ibrokhim Abdullaev converted from the spot after the referee pulled-up Myron Mendes for bringing down goal scorer Odilov inside the box. Seven minutes later, India suffered a jolt in the 60th minute when captain Lalramzuava had to be replaced for a calf and hamstring cramp after he had marshalled the midfield with confidence.

It was again Uttam Rai who equalised amid confusion amongst the Uzbek defenders as he popped up the goal off a second half substitute Raja Rawat's cross to score again for India in the 71st minute. But Uzbekistan would seal the match in their favour in the 79th minute when Ilhomjon volleyed in a low cross from the right. India went all out in the final 10 minutes but it wasn't enough to equalise for a third time in the match.

After the match coach Colm Toal said, "We are talking about India playing Uzbekistan who are one of the top countries in Asia and giving them a good chase and scoring two goals past them are the clear sign of progression."

"Our back four alongside with the goalkeepers were brilliant today, we brought the match at level twice so a point each would have been fair result. If you look at the circumstances we conceded the goals it's unbelievable; the first was penalty and the second was scored when we were only 10-man in the field due to an injured player," Toal added.

India next play Syria on Tuesday, September 25; who played a 1-1 draw against China in their opening match.


MATCH STATS

Uzbekistan 3-2 India - Goals: 1-0 Mukhiddin Odilov (8'), 1-1,2-2 Uttam Rai (47',71'), 2-1 Ibrokhim Abdullaev (53' pen), 3-2 Ilhomjon Abdiganiyev (79')

Uzbekistan
12-Shokhrukhjon Eshbutaev [C] - 2-Jamshid Boltaboev, 3-Islom Ismoilov (87' 18-Oybek Erkinov), 4-Akramjon Komilov, 9-Ibrokhim Abdullaev - 7-Ravshanbek Khursanov, 13-Alisher Mirzaev (46' 8-Ilhomjon Abdiganiyev), 15-Izzatilla Abdullaev (64' 6-Ulugbek Davlatov), 17-Doctonbek Khamdamov, 20-Otabek Shukrov - 23-Mukhiddin Odilov
Unused Subs: 1-Sarvar Karimov, 22-Abbosbek Ulmasbekov; 5-Shohjakhon Kilichev, 10-Javokhir Sidikov, 11-Akobir Turaev, 14-Islombek Karimov, 16-Adhamjon Ahmadjonov, 19-Khumoyun Agzamov, 21-Shohjahon Abbasov

India
20-Supratim Bhattacharjee; 4-Gurba Gagrai, 7-Mohammed Sajid Dhot, 8-Myron Mendes, 11-Sarthak Golui; 15-Alen Deory, 18-Germanpreet Singh, 21-Issac Vanmalswama (68' 3-Raja Rawat), 22-Khiangte Lalramzuava [C] (60' 2-Nitin Jyal); 10-Uttam Rai, 14-Daniel Lalhlimpuia (85' 13-Vanlalduatsanga)
Unused Subs: 1-Agaipal Singh, 23-Avinash Kumar; 5-Jimmy Maibam, 6-Manraj Singh, 9-Nabin Rabha, 12-Vivekananda Sagayaraj, 16-Kamalpreet Singh, 17-Geremsha Basumatary, 19-Hanan Javed Nellikkavil

Referee
Chaiya Mahapab (Thailand)

AFC U-16 Championship: India face Uzbekistan in opener

The India Under-16 boys open their campaign in the AFC Under-16 Championships against Uzbekistan today at the Rah Ahan Stadium in Tehran. The other two sides in Group D are Syria and neighbours China.

But India have bad memories of the Uzbek youngsters, then in the qualifiers last year in Tashkent they had been trashed 9-0 by a very talented young Uzbek side. This is surely something which head coach Colm Toal and his boys will want to avoid and get a better result today.

India who earned a ticket for the final phase in October 2011 in Tashkent, stay clubbed with Uzbekistan, Syria and China in Group D. The top-two from each Group qualify for the Quarterfinals while the four semifinalists get a direct entry into the U-17 World Cup. On the surface that means, India stay 4 matches away from a spot in the World Cup.

Former Indian National Coach Rustam Akramov is currently the Director of Uzbekistan's National Teams and speaking about their Under-16 the elder statesman says, "We have trained for 73 days abroad for the Championship and have played 24 International matches. This U-16 bunch of ours stays more tactically organised than our U-19 batch."

"International exposures at this age matters. Uzbekistan go into the match with more confidence than us," Colm Joseph Toal utters. "But we will be competitive!"

The Indian boys always move in a group. Speak to them but it's hard to make them speak. All they understand is that they stay on the threshold of history and need to perform to their potential. "From the batch of 2008 (last time India played AFC U-16 Championship), Lalrindika Ralte, Manandeep Singh and Shilton D’Silva made already played for India," Toal recollects. The Under-16 boys enquire about India's performance in the AFC U-22 Championship qualifiers. Dika, Milan, Manandeep were all part of that.

"I feel, at this level, you can never be consistent. It's all about the age. They are not even 16," Akramov says. "We have had exceptional days and even below average ones. At this age, the heart plays a big role. Everything stays so unpredictable."

There's always a bit of restlessness yet calm about Colm Toal. He checks every minute detail and stays the first one to arrive down at the lobby for the practice sessions. Having earlier coached China and Uzbekistan, he knows their footballing structure, the age-group teams more than anyone else.

It's hard to judge whether the boys love or respect him more. Toal smiles. "We need to be competitive and we will," he murmurs. The boys can't hear him this time. With a ball in their hands, traffic obstacles force a halt every second minute. The journey stays long. The Rah Ayan Stadium awaits today.

AFC Under-16 Championship: India ready for tournament!

The AFC Under-16 Championship will kick-off tomorrow in the Iranian capital Tehran and run until October 6. India are placed in Group D along with Uzbekistan, Syria and China. The talented Indian Junior boys arrived in Tehran in the early hours of today after their three week training camp in Dubai.

India open their tournament on Sunday against Uzbekistan, then face Syria on Tuesday and in the final game on Thursday neighbours China will be the opponent. India will play all their matches at the Rah Ahan Stadium.

Head Coach Colm Toal said about the task ahead, "Every country goes into a Championship hoping to be successful and win every match they play. It may sound cliché but we are taking one match at a time. But yeah, we will look to win the match for sure. We have played at this level in 2008. I can tell you this is a very difficult Championship and in 2008, we found out the competition was very tough."

"At this level it's not about results. Rather, it's more about the developmental part. If you look at the squad of 2088, 17 of them are playing in the I-League at the moment and 5 have been in the National Camp with three having already made their debut. Three years down the line if we get some of the boys from this present U-16 squad emulating it, I feel we have been successful," Colm Toal added.


INDIA Under-16

Goalkeepers
Supratim Bhattacharjee (West Bengal), Avinash Kumar (Uttar Pradesh), Agaipal Singh (Punjab)

Defenders
Mohammed Sajid Dhot (Punjab), Gurba Gagrai (Jharkhand), Sarthak Golui (West Bengal), Jimmy Maibam (Manipur), Myron Mendes (Goa), Nabin Rabha (Assam), Vivekananda Sagayaraj (Karnataka), Manraj Singh (Punjab)

Midfielders
Geremsha Basumatary (Assam), Alen Deory (Assam), Hanan Javed (Kerala), Nitin Jyal (Uttarakhand), K. Lalramzuava (Chandigarh), Raja Rawat (Uttarakhand), Germanpreet Singh (Punjab), Issac Vanmalswama (Mizoram)

Forwards
Daniel Lalhlimpuia (Chandigarh), Uttam Rai (Sikkim), Kamalpreet Singh (Punjab), Vanlalduatsanga (Mizoram)

Officials
Colm Joseph Toal (Head Coach)

AFC Under-16 Championships: Tough draw for India

The draw for the final round of the AFC Under-16 Championship was held today in the Iranian capital Tehran, which is set to host the tournament from September 22 to October 6, 2012. The India Under-16 boys have been drawn in tough Group D alongside Uzbekistan, Syria and China.

After the group stages which will be played September 22-27, the top two teams from each group (eight teams in total) will qualify for the knockout stages, the quarterfinals (September 30) and then the semifinals (October 3) with the winners advancing to the final (October 6).

The India Under-16 boys had qualified as the second-placed team from a complicated qualifying Group C in Tashkent having beaten Tajikistan, Bahrain and Kyrgyzstan; but having suffered a 0-9 loss against the hosts Uzbekistan.

After qualification coach Thomas Joseph had said, "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."


GROUP

Group A: Iran, Kuwait, Yemen, Laos
Group B: Australia, Iraq, Oman, Thailand
Group C: North Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea
Group D: Uzbekistan, Syria, China, India