by sportswire4u.blogspot.com
TEHRAN, OCT 31
India’s U-19 boys got off to a
winning start on the opening day of the AFC U-19 Qualifiers when they
beat a 10-man Turkmenistan by 3-1 at the historical Takhti Stadium here on Monday.
Brandon Fernandes put India in the lead when he converted a penalty in the 39th minute only for Myradov to equalise in the 56th minute. Captain Malswamfela doubled India’s lead in the 60th minute while Prabir Das completed the rout in the 82nd minute.
One
is bound to be a bit nostalgic the moment one steps in the Takhti.
Built in 1973, it played host to the 1974 Asian Games. The 30,000-seater
Stadium doesn’t have any stands on the far side -- it has been left
clear for the Alborz Mountain Range to watch; and the Indians didn’t
disappoint the majestic Alborz.
It
was a clinical display by the U-19 colts. They were not in a hurry and
preferred to play the waiting game. In fact, Turkmenistan tried to
dominate early as they preferred to attack down the left with Captain
Durdiyev Didar and Muhadov Suleyman staying keen in making a mark. But a
stubborn Pritam Kotal stood firm, thwarting and intercepting.
As
the game progressed, the Indians took over. Brandon Fernandes and
Sehnaj Singh took control and with Holicharan Narzary and Captain
Malswamfela interchanging, the Turkmenistan defence was stretched a lot.
The first goal came in the 39th
minute. Brandon, who with his deft touches had always kept the rival
defence guessing, got past Gurt Podarov with a sudden burst of speed on
the right side. Caught on the wrong foot, Podarov, all in desperation
had little option but to bring Brandon down inside the box only to be
given marching orders. Brandon gleefully converted from the spot to put
India in the lead.
Changing over, quite against the run of play, Myradov pulled it back for Turkmenistan in the 56th minute. But it didn’t last long as four minutes later, Fela side-stepped two defenders before blasting it in.
Keen
to seal the fate early, Coach Colm Toal introduced a double
substitution – Johnychand Singh coming in place of Brandon Fernandes and
Prabir Das replacing Pronay Halder -- and the fresh legs sealed the
final nail. In the 82nd minute, Prabir complemented stayed
alert to tap in India’s third goal after Holicharan Narzary had snaked
past a couple of defenders down the left flank. For India, birthday-boy
Anto Xavier was red-carded in the 86th minute.
India next play Iran on November 2.
In another match, Uzbekistan U-19 defeated Pakistan U-19 3-0.
India U-19: Ravi Kumar; Narayan Das, Bikramjit Singh, Sonu, Pritam Kotal; Brandon Fernandes (Johnychand Singh – 67th minute), Anto Xavier, Sehnaj Singh, Pronay Halder (Prabir Das – 69th); Holicharan Narzary, Malswamfela (C) (Sunny – 85th).
