India, Nepal book spots in U-15 SAFF meet finals

29 India and Nepal secured the top two spots in the 2019 Under-15 SAFF Championship at the Kalyani Stadium on Thursday. While India defeated defending champions Bangladesh 4-0, Nepal trounced Bhutan 6-0.

Bangladesh, who had lost 1-4 to Nepal earlier in the tournament, needed to beat India by a two-goal margin, in order to clinch the second spot. However, the hosts came through in the end, with an emphatic result.

The match got off to a rather nervy start on a rain-drenched day. India head coach Bibiano Fernandes made as many as eight changes to his starting XI, from their last game against Sri Lanka. Captain and centre-back Anish Mazumder, midfielder Satvik Sharma, and striker Himanshu Jangra were the only ones to keep their position in the starting XI.

It was Bangladesh, who had the early initiative, but they failed to capitalise on their chances. Isac Zomuanpuia had the first real chance for India, as he capitalised on a stopping ball in wet conditions to break free of the Bangladesh defence. However, the Weather Gods played spoilsport as his low shot also stopped suddenly in a puddle.

However, it was last game's hat-trick hero Himanshu Jangra, who opened the scoring yet again, as he masterfully back-headed a free-kick by Isac Zomuanpuia over the Bangladesh keeper and into the goal.

It was the combination of Himanshu and Isac that wreaked havoc in the Bangladesh defence yet again. Around the hour mark, Isac sent in a free-kick from the right wing, that was again headed by Himanshu into the goal.

The duo combined a third time just a few minutes later, as Himanshu nodded in a corner to score his hat-trick. Renedy Meetei scored the last one a few minutes before the end to make the score 4-0 for India.

( With inputs from IANS )