India’s U-16 squad won the SAFF U-16 Championship 2023 at the gorgeous setting of Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan, defeating Bangladesh 2-0 in a high-octane final. Bharat Lairenjam scored in the first half, and Levis Zangminlun clinched the result with a second-half goal, assuring India’s easy triumph.
The Blue Colts had an outstanding championship run, led by head coach Ishfaq Ahmed. They finished first in Group A after beating Bangladesh and Nepal 1-0 in both games. Their 8-0 victory over the Maldives in the semi-finals was a masterpiece in offensive.
India demonstrated tactical brilliance and control in the last match against Bangladesh. They efficiently countered Bangladesh’s more muscular style of play with good ball distribution and creative use of available space. Mohammad Arbash, Vishal Yadav, and Levis Zangminlun pierced the Bangladeshi defence with flowing runs and superb dribbling, allowing India to command the tempo from start to end.
Karish Soram, India’s stalwart defender, was at the core of the country’s defence. Always on the alert, he put his body in the line of fire whenever the occasion demanded it. When Bangladesh found a way past him, India custodian Aheibam Suraj Singh stayed firm and immovable.
Featured Image: AIFF