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India's U-16 team secured the SAFF U-16 Championship 2023 title, defeating Bangladesh 2-0 after an exciting final. Bharat Lairenjam found the net in the first half, while Levis Zangminlun sealed the victory with a second-half goal. Head coach Ishfaq Ahmed led Blue Colts had a sparkling run throughout the championship.
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India finished top of Group A after narrow wins against Bangladesh and Nepal with 1-0 in both instances. Their semi-final clash with the Maldives ended in an 8-0 triumph. The team accomplished all of this without conceding a single goal throughout the tournament.
SAFF U16 Championship: India vs Bangladesh - What happened in the match?
First Half:
India's initial breakthrough came early, just eight minutes into the match. Levis Zangminlun provided an incisive through ball to forward Bharat Lairenjam, who swiftly invaded the space ahead and slotted the ball between the legs of Bangladesh goalkeeper Mohammad Nahidul Islam to score. Throughout the first half, Lairenjam and India's captain, Mate Ngamgouhou, consistently pressured the Bangladeshi defence, creating multiple scoring opportunities.
Second Half:
India started the second half with the same intensity. They searched relentlessly for another goal and it came in the 74th minute with a brilliant strike. Samson initiated a promising move down the left wing before switching the play to send the ball to Levis Zangminlun on the opposite flank. Zangminlun confused his defender to find himself in open space. He took time and unleashed a devastating left-footed strike that ended up in the back of the net. It was enough for the Blue Colts to emerge as the Champions.