India defeats Maldives 8-0 to reach the SAFF U-16 Championship championship game
India put up a commanding performance to defeat Maldives 8-0 in the semifinal and advance to the SAFF U-16 Championship summit match, which will take place here on Friday.
Vishal Yadav, Mohammed Kaif, Levis Zangminlun, and Manbhakupar Malngiang each scored one goal, while Aiborlang Kharthangmaw and Mohammad Arbash each scored two goals.
Before grabbing the lead in the 21st minute, the Blue Colts dominated play from the start and generated multiple opportunities. Karish Soram’s aerial pass allowed Yadav to go past a few players and send the ball in.
Ahmed Mifzal, the goalkeeper for the Maldives, did well to stop the Indians just past the 30-minute mark, but Kaif easily headed in Mate Ngamgouhou’s corner kick in the 36th.
India was in the lead 2-0 at the interval.
Yaipharemba Chingkham’s ball from the left side allowed Zangminlun to score the third goal in the 53rd minute after a strong start to the second half.
Kharthangmaw and Malngiang each scored one goal in the 62nd and 70th minutes as India coach Ishfaq Ahmed made three substitutions.
Ahmed also changed the goalie, replacing Suraj Singh with Rohit.
Arbash scored again to make it 7-0 for India in the 77th and 84th minutes, while Kharthangmaw finished up his hat trick in the 82nd to put a stop to the rout.
In the final, which will be contested on Sunday, India will face the winner of the second semifinal match between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
