U-16 SAFF Cup: Pakistan beat India to clinch first-ever title

Pakistan are the first-ever champions of the Under-16 SAFF Cup beating neighbours India 2-1 in the final played at Kathmandu's Dasrath Stadium. The inaugural edition of the Under-16 boys South Asian Football Federation Championships (SAFF Cup) was held from August 1 to 10 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Mohammed Zaseen and Mohammed Mansoor scored for Pakistan, while Daniel Lalhlimpuia had scored the equaliser in-between.



It was an interesting final with both teams trying initially to take an early lead. It was Pakistan who took the lead in the 25th minute when a Mohammed Zaseen cross dipped over Indian custodian Supratim Bhattacharya into the far post. Thereafter it was often one-way traffic as India put a lot of pressure on their opponents and it was Daniel Lalhlimpuia in the first half injury time to equalise for our juniors following a goal-mouth melee.



Only five minutes into the second half India were again behind when Mohammed Mansoor scored the lead and the eventual winner for the Pakistanis. Once more it was mainly one-way traffic thereafter as India put Pakistan under a lot of pressure, but besides missing chances the Pakistan defence held their ground.



India Under-16 coach Thomas Joseph said that there are lots of positive to take back home as some of the boys were playing their first International tournament.



"We could have done much better. Pakistan on the other hand played well and stuck to their task. We are certainly going home with lots of positives and these guys have played extremely well throughout the tournament," Thomas Joseph said.



Overall a good tournament for the India Under-16 boys, but once more has been often the problem with our teams the finishing was lacking then otherwise these boys surely could have won the title.





FIXTURES



GROUP A

August 1: INDIA U16 0-1 Pakistan U16

August 3: Maldives U16 0-6 Pakistan U16

August 5: INDIA U16 5-0 Maldives U16



GROUP B

August 2: Sri Lanka U16 2-6 Bangladesh U16

August 4: Nepal U16 0-0 Bangladesh U16

August 6: Sri Lanka U16 0-6 Nepal U16



SEMIFINALS

August 8: Pakistan U16 2-0 Bangladesh U16

August 8: Nepal U16 1-1,2-4 India U16 [penalties]



FINAL PLACEMENT DAY

August 9: Maldives U16 2-0 Sri Lanka U16

August 10: Bangladesh U16 1-2 Nepal U16

August 10: Pakistan U16 2-1 India U16

U-16 SAFF Cup: India Boys look to win the title

The India Under-16 boys play neighbours Pakistan in the final of the inaugural Under-16 SAFF Cup tomorrow at the Dasrath Stadium in Kathmandu. It will be a rematch of the opening game of the tournament and India will look to avenge their 0-1 opening day loss.



India needed penalties to beat hosts Nepal 4-2 after the match had ended one-all. Earlier they had qualified for the semifinals with a 5-0 trashing of Maldives after the opening day shock against Pakistan. The Pakistani boys meanwhile have had a great tournament so far. The have won all their three matches and are still to concede a goal.



But India Under-16 coach Thomas Joseph remains optimistic about his side chances of winning the title and said, "These guys have done a wonderful job till date. We have grown from strength to strength and are all set put our best foot forward in the finals."



India will have talented midfielder Lalramzuava back in the side after serving a one match suspension and Thomas Joseph added, "He is one of our key players. He provides stability in the midfield. It's good to have full strength for such an important match."



The Indian defence played with lots of composure in the last match and will look to repeat the same and especially with a solid keeper in Supratim Bhattacharya in goal.



"He (Supratim) is a very talented goalkeeper and a good future prospect. I would rather say, this lot is very special and everyone is extremely talented," Thomas further added.



Taking a call on the opponent, the India U-16 coach said, "They are a very good team and plays with lot of strength. But, we have already played against them in the group stage and have our plans ready to tackle them. The Boys are also aware of their duties and are all set to give their best shot in the finals."



Indian skipper, Mohammed Sajid Dhot believes that it's just a matter of getting the act right to get the desired result. "Everyone is eagerly waiting for this match. We will need to play good as a team like we have done throughout the tournament."



Vanlalduatsanga has been a revelation upfront and the Mizo lad is looking forward to the match, "It's always good to contribute in success of the team. I am looking forward to it and hope to do well once again."



The match will kick-off in Kathmandu at 15:15 IST.

U-16 SAFF Cup: India beat Nepal to reach finals

The India Under-16 boys beat hosts Nepal 4-2 on penalties after the match had ended one-all in regulation time to reach the finals of the inaugural Under-16 SAFF Cup being played at the Dasrath Stadium in Kathmandu. In the finals India are set to face Pakistan, who beat Bangladesh 2-0 in the other semifinal.



The final on Wednesday, August 10 will be a rematch of the opening game which India had lost 0-1 against Pakistan, while Nepal will face Bangladesh in the third place playoff.



It was the home side who drew first blood of the match in the 20th minute with Rishi Thapa scoring off a goalmouth melee, while Indian substitute Nitin Jyal restored parity at the fag end of the match with seconds remaining.



Both the teams started the match on the aggressive note knowing that a place in the final was at stake. India had more of the initial exchanges with striker Vanlalduatsanga's first shot saved off the line by the rival goalkeeper while a few minutes later his shot from inside the box could only find the Nepali custodian. Against run of play, Nepal took the lead in the 20th minute through Rishi Thapa. The Indians didn't crumble under pressure and kept on creating chances. Daniel could have scored the equaliser in the 22nd minute, but his right footer was just wide of the woodwork.



Nepal went for the breather with a 1-0 precarious lead and had chances to increase their lead in the second half. Nepal captain Heman Gurung's free-kick from outside the box hit the woodwork, while on the other side Vanlalduatsanga, Raja Rawat and Suman Saha missed sitters for India. As it looked that Nepal would win and move into the final it was substitute Nitin Jyal, who came in for Germanpreet, who scored the equaliser in the dying minutes of the match.



In the penalty shootout the Indian boys kept their cool. Vanlalduatsanga, Suman Saha, Myron Mendes and Harmanjot Singh scored for India with Lalrammuana hitting the crossbar. The penalty shootout hero was goalkeeper Supratim Bhattacharya who saved two penalties, but he also had kept India in the match with some great saves.



A satisfied India Under-16 coach Thomas Joseph was once again all praise for his boys and said, "I am extremely happy with their performance. They played their heart out and showed character. Also we missed so many chances, but nevertheless it is part and parcel of the game and we hope to continue with the same momentum against Pakistan in the finals."

U-16 SAFF Cup: India to face hosts Nepal in semifinals

The first-ever edition of the Under-16 boys South Asian Football Federation Championships (SAFF Cup) is currently being held from August 1 to 10 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The matches are being played at Kathmandu's Dasrath Stadium and the group stages finished today.

India now take on hosts Nepal, while Pakistan play Bangladesh in the semifinals on August 8 for a place in the finals to be played on August 10.

India only finished second in their Group A after a 0-1 upset against Pakistan, while returning to winning ways with a 5-0 win against the Maldives yesterday. In Group B Nepal and Bangladesh both finished on four points as they both beat Sri Lanka, but drew goalless against each other. Nepal won the group by having the better goal difference against Sri Lanka as both sides scored six goals, but Bangladesh conceded two late goals.

India U-16 coach Thomas Joseph said, "They (Nepal) are a very good side and the results speaks for them. However, our boys are up for the task. We take one match at a time and our sole aim now is to win the semifinal."

Thomas Joseph further added, "It's equally important for everyone to understand their role as so far they have done a great job. We find difficulty in picking up the starting XI as almost all of them are equally talented."


FIXTURES & RESULTS

GROUP A
August 1: INDIA U16 0-1 Pakistan U16
August 3: Maldives U16 0-6 Pakistan U16
August 5: INDIA U16 5-0 Maldives U16

GROUP B
August 2: Sri Lanka U16 2-6 Bangladesh U16
August 4: Nepal U16 0-0 Bangladesh U16
August 6: Sri Lanka U16 0-6 Nepal U16

SEMIFINALS
August 8: Pakistan U16 - Bangladesh U16
August 8: Nepal U16 - India U16

FINAL PLACEMENT MATCHES
August 9: Maldives U16 - Sri Lanka U16
August 10: Loser of Semifinal 1 vs Loser of Semifinal 2
August 10: Winner of Semifinal 1 vs Winner of Semifinal 2

VIDEO: INDIA U-16 Goal against Maldives

GoalNepal.com has uploaded a video clip of nearly four minutes duration showing complete domination by India's Under-16 boys against their rivals from the Maldives and it ends with Vanlalduatsanga scoring India's third goal in the second minute of first half injury time. India won the match 5-0 yesterday at the Dasrath Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal.


Here the video link

U-16 SAFF Cup: Complete Fixtures out

The first-ever edition of the Under-16 boys South Asian Football Federation Championships (SAFF Cup) will be played from August 1 to 10, 2011 in Kathmandu Nepal. Earlier today the draw for the two groups of six teams each was carried out.

Our India Under-16 boys face Pakistan and the Maldives in Group A, while in Group B Sri Lanka take on hosts Nepal and Bangladesh. The matches will be played at Kathmandu's Dasrath Stadium for the next 10 days.

SAFF General Secretary Alberto Colaco is quite confident that this endeavour will mark a new beginning for SAFF in terms of conducting age group tournaments and said, "It's necessary to give a good exposure to the U-16 Boys before they participate in the AFC U-16 qualification."

"The condition in the SAFF regions are not ideal as compared to Europe. But, I know it's a good beginning and things will move ahead in right direction." Alberto added.

Meanwhile India Under-16 coach Thomas Joseph is quite confident of a good show from his boys and believes that his side will excel in the tournament.

"We have a balanced side and all the boys are good," Thomas said. "We have prepared very well for this tournament and will try to put our best forward right from the outset," Thomas further added.

Thomas also said, "The condition here are different but the boys are ready to deal with any situation." Some teams are a little weiry of the altitude which could be an issue for them.


FIXTURES

GROUP A
August 1: INDIA U16 - Pakistan U16
August 3: Maldives U16 - Pakistan U16
August 5: INDIA U16 - Maldives U16

GROUP B
August 2: Sri Lanka U16 - Bangladesh U16
August 4: Nepal U16 - Bangladesh U16
August 6: Sri Lanka U16 - Nepal U16

SEMIFINALS
August 8: Winner Group A - Runners-Up B
August 8: Winner Group B - Runners-Up A

FINAL PLACEMENT DAY
August 9: Third Placed Team Group A - Third Placed Team Group B
August 10: Loser of Semifinal 1 vs Loser of Semifinal 2
August 10: Winner of Semifinal 1 vs Winner of Semifinal 2

Under-16 SAFF Cup: India squad announced

The first-ever edition of the Under-16 boys South Asian Football Federation Championships (SAFF Cup) will be played from August 1 to 10, 2011 in Kathmandu Nepal. Six nations in Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and hosts Nepal are taking part. The two other SAFF members Afghanistan and Bhutan are not taking part.

The teams have now all arrived in Kathmandu ahead of the draw tomorrow. The six teams will be divided into two groups of three teams each with each team playing two matches in the group stage. The top two nations from each group move into the semifinals. On the final day there will be position matches, first the 5th/6th Place Playoff, then the 3rd Place Playoff and then the grand finale.

India have named a 23 player squad for the tournament after two months of preparations at the Assolna, Cuncolim and Chowgule College grounds in Goa. Coach Thomas Joseph has high expectations of his boys to deliver.


INDIA Under-16

Goalkeepers
Avinash Kumar Rao, Agiapal Singh, Supratim Bhattacharya

Defenders
Myron Sezie Mendes, Maibham Jimmy Singh, Aula Kanyeha, Suman Saha, Mohammed Sajid Dhoot, Sarthak Golui, Randhwa Sukhjit Singh, Nabin Rabha

Midfielders
Kamalpreet Singh, Harmanjot Singh, Nitin Jyal, Germanpreet Singh, Khiangte Lalramzauva, Lalrammuana, Raja Rawat, Daniel Lalhlimpuia

Strikers
Vanlalthlamuana, Vanlalduatsanga, Prokash Majumdar, Jagannath Oraon

Officials
Thomas Joseph (Coach), C.M. Ranjith (Manager-cum-Coach), Mario Aguair (Goalkeeper coach), Babu Sampath (Physio)