AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The Indian U-19 National Team kicked-off their SAFF U-19 2015 Championship campaign with a 2-0 win over Afghanistan on Sunday (August 23, 2015) at the ANFA HQ in Satdobato, Nepal.

An early goal fused with a sterling attacking and defensive performance laid the foundations of an easy Indian win.

The Indian colts dashed out to attack from the kick-off and earned a corner in the first minute itself. Albeit the corner went abegging, the pressure which the Indian contingent aimed to create was evident.

Dominating possession in the final third, whilst incepting pressure on the opponent, was bound to earn dividends for the Indian contingent. And it did, as early as the 11^th minute, when a delightful lofted free-kick was headed home by Kamalpreet Singh.

Minutes later the Indian colts were at it again. An exquisite one touch play created an opening for the Indian contingent, but the chance went abegging.

Not to be deterred by the missed opportunity, the Colts were close to doubling their lead in the dying embers of the first half as a thunderous shot rattled the opposition’s crossbar. However, at the end of the first forty five minutes, the Indian contingent lead by a solitary goal.

An Afghan incursion in the early minutes of the second half was dismantled by sheer acumen by the Indian defence paving way for the Indian attack to take control of the match once again.

A delicious cross from the right flank, which was onto its way to goal, was cleared away by the Afghan defence in the 60^th minute resulting in a corner. Second later, a thumping effort from Moin was saved by the Afghan custodian.

The Indian colts doubled their lead in the 86^th minute of the match when a glitzy one touch play with Rohit saw Anirudh Thapa onto goal. The latter danced past two Afghan defenders and slotted the ball home, to give the colts a well deserved two goal cushion.

In the dying embers of the match, a desperate Afghan contingent attacked all-out, but their prowess was nullified by an excellent defensive performance by the Indian colts.

At the end of full-time the score-line read 2-0 in favor of the Indian Colts.

The Indian Colts face Maldives in their next match of the SAFF U-19 2015 Championship on August 25, 2015.