Photo courtesy: AIFF Media

The India U-19 National Team defeated Malaysian club side Frenz United A 2-1 in the FAM-FRENZ Asia Champions Trophy 2015 on Wednesday (September 23, 2015) in Vasco, Goa.

Daniel Lalhlimpuia and Mawihmingthanga scored on the either side of half-time to hand Frenz United A their first defeat of the FAM-FRENZ Asia Champions Trophy 2015, whilst enabling the Indian colts to garner seven points out of four matches.

Speaking in the Official Post-match Press Conference, Head Coach of the Indian U-19 Team Lee Johnson praised the attitude of his team on-field: “I am extremely satisfied with the performance the Team showcased tonight. The players had worked hard in the training and they deserved this win”

“This win has also given us the confidence and indicated us that we can play and edge out a result against an opposition which is well versed in the game.”

“It is satisfying and pleasing to see the players showcase their leadership quality on the pitch. Our defenders worked hard during the match and had a brilliant game tonight”, quipped Johnson.

Lee Johnson’s boys also came under lavish praise from the Frenz United A Head Coach, Erik van der Meer, who had earlier said: “India deserved to win. They pressed and cancelled us during the match and their defenders were in superb form.”

On a hot and humid evening in Goa, the Indian colts turned on the style as they attacked with finesse and flair from the early minutes of the match.

Mawihmingthanga’s went on a sterling run, feinting two defenders in the process to ring the attacking bells for the India U-19 team in the 3rd minute. Two minutes later, Malsawmzuala’s venomous shot came close to opening the goal scoring account for the Indian colts.

With momentum on their side the Indian team started to pull string and create goal scoring chances at will, Chhangte’s rocket-of-a-shot, following a tacky Indian counterattack was headed clear by the Malaysian Club’ defence in the 20th minute.

While the Indian forwards continued to raid the opposition citadel, the Indian defence thwarted the counter-attacks initiated by Frenz United. Sajid’s inch-perfect tackle to rob the opposition of gaining ground on goal indicated the tenacity of the Indian defence.

In the 39th minute, Ashique’s shot, after feinting clear of his defender was saved by the opponent custodian.

With the colts emulating their own version of symphony in motion by jotting down some exquisite passing moves to split open the opposition defence, it was only a matter of time before the opening goal of the match came.

And it did in the 41st minute when the skipper Daniel leapt higher than his marker and headed the ball home, following an Indian freekick to send India into the half-time with a solitary goal lead.

Changing over, the Indian colts started where the left on, on an attacking note. India came close to doubling their lead in the 51st minute as a shot flew just inches wide of the post. Three minutes later, Ashique’ volley following a delicious cross from the right flank sailed inches over the crossbar.

In the 65th minute Frenz United A equalized their deficit against the run of play to make the score-line 1-1.

Not to be deterred the Indian U-19 national team maintained their grip on the game and pressed for a goal. In the 72nd minute an Indian cutback into the penalty area was read by the Malaysian club’s defence and cleared.

Two minutes later, the Indian team took the lead again as Mawihmingthanga danced past two opponents and slotted the ball home with sheer composure to make the score-line 2-1.

For the rest of the match, the Indian colts successfully thwarted Frenz United’s efforts with acumen and at the end of time the score-line read 2-1 in favor of the Indian U-19 side.

(Report & Photo courtesy: AIFF Media)