Lunkim scores a brace

Reigning champions India defeated Maldives 3-0 (HT 1-0) in the second and final Group A match of the ongoing SAFF U17 Championship at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan their second win on the trot.

With six points the Ishfaq Ahmed coached side booked a place in the semi-finals as table topper and will take on Group B's Runners-up (Bhutan, Pakistan, or Nepal) in the first semi-final on 28 September.  The big score line defeat on the other hand for Island nation saw them out of contention for the last four stage to Bangladesh on the basis of goal difference despite holding their rivals to 1-1 draw earlier in the week.

For India Samson Ahongshangbam opened the scoring in the 14th minute of the first half, through a  spectacular diving header, after capitalising on a cross by Manbhakupar Malngiang from the right flank.

The Mohammed Kaif led Indian side despite making numerous attacks couldn’t increase their tally in the face of strong Maldives defense, who were desperate to keep the margin of defeat to a bare minimum margin in order to keep their teams hopes alive of making the semi-finals.

It was not until the 74th minute of play when substitute Hemneichung Lunkim who had replaced Yaipharemba Chingakham three minutes earlier scored the second goal for India, after he capitalised on the error by rival goal keeper Hassan Nasir who fumbled to collect Azlaan Shah's shot.

Lunkim was in thick of action once again as found the back of the net a brilliant long-ranger one minute before the regulation time to score his second of the match.

Hemneichung Lunkim  post the match said “ Delighted with his first goals for the nation, Lunkim said, "It's just like a dream for me. First of all, I would like to thank God that I'm part of this national team. For the second goal, I didn't think about it. I got space outside the box, my mind was telling me to shoot and my right foot did the rest”.

 The Indian Head Coach Ishfaq Ahmed who used 20 out of the 23 players in 180 minutes of football at the Changlimithang Stadium as part of the rotation policy was pleased to see the hunger in his boys to make the starting 11 in every game.  The former India international who earlier was part of the Indian U16 squad that had won the SAFF U16 Champion last year said “ "You always need to help players to gain more confidence. And the best thing to do is to give them more playing time. I think everybody played a good brand of football, which I was pleased to see.  I think when you're playing for the national team, that hunger is a must. And I have seen it already. There is great competition in our team, especially among wingers, strikers and midfielders. I think that's where I'm blessed as a coach as any player who comes from the bench is capable of starting any match," said Ahmed.

India U17: Aheibam Suraj Singh (GK); Karish Soram, Brahmacharimayum Sumit Sharma, Mohammed Kaif (C), Yaipharemba Chingakham (Hemneichung Lunkim 71’), Md Arbash, Ningthoukhongjam Rishi Singh, Levis Zangminlun (Thoungamba Singh Usham 90’), Ahongshangbam Samson (Mahmad Sami 90’), Bharat Lairenjam (Azlaan Shah Kh 71’), Manbhakupar Malngiang (Banlamkupar Rynjah 81’).

Result: India 3 (Samson Ahongshangbam 14’, Hemneichung Lunkim 74’, 89’) beat Maldives 0. (HT 1-0)