India were held to a goalless draw by Bangladesh in their last match of the U14 SAARC Tournament at Tokinosumika Sports Centre in Shizuka.
India dominated right from the kick-off and stretched the game to the flanks where Bedeshwor and Zonunmawia further frustrated the rival defence. Bedashwor came close to scoring in the 11th minute but his shot from inside the box narrowly missed the target. Changing over, the Indian team, comprising of AIFF Regional Academy boys, despite attacking relentlessly but with Bangladesh preferring to adopt a defensive strategy, the match ended goalless.
India finished second on 8 points while Japan Football Football Association Academy Team 1 topped the Group with 10 points.
Head Coach Sajid Dar lavished huge praise on the boys for their performance. “The SAARC U14 tournament has certainly boosted up the ongoing development process of our youth team and this is going to help them play better in the long run. The team improved with every match,” he said.
Former India International Gautam Ghosh, presently the Assistant Coach lauded the boys for acclimatising fast to the alien weather conditions. “The boys displayed exemplary commitment and adjusted to the conditions fast. It was a very good exposure trip for them,” he commented.
(AIFF Press Release)