Dhaka, Bangladesh, 30 September 2016: Abhishek‘s last minute strike gave India a 5-4 victory in their final game against the hosts Bangladesh at the U18 Men’s Asia Cup.
In what was almost a replay of the opener, the two teams treat the fans to a thrilling nine-goal encounter, India triumphing in the end to be crowned Champions.
India were the ones with the quicker start, and rotating the ball patiently between themselves as they searched for an opening. Bangladesh had been devastating on the counter against India in their previous encounter, and perhaps keeping that in mind, India didn’t commit forward in numbers, instead building up play carefully, before penetrating the circle.
The approach paid off as they won their first PC in the 6th minute. After an initial error, India recovered and improvised to take a shot on goal, but the attempt ran wide.
The game dropped into a predictable rhythm, India holding the possession while Bangladesh waited for the counter. From a counter, Bangladesh won a PC, and after the initial save by Pankaj Kumar Rajak, M Roman Sarkar scored to give the hosts the lead.
Almost from the restart though India equalised. Shivam Anand picked up a pass on the edge of the circle and cut back in, running past two Bangladesh defenders to execute a perfect reverse flick into the net. India were level.
India had another PC in the final minute of play, but another error denied them a goal. From a counter Bangladesh ran through the midfield, before a cross from the left found Mohammad Mohsin who deflected the ball to give Bangladesh the lead. It was virtually the last play of the half, the hosts walking into the break with a 2-1 lead.
India hit back after half time to level the scores, via Hardik Singh’s PC before Dilpreet Singh scored to give them the lead. In a topsy turvy game, almost a copy of their opening game encounter Bangladesh equalised with Mohammed Ashraful Islam in the 60th minute.
With the scores tied and the threat of a shootout looming, Ibungo Singh Konjengbam fired India back in front. The hosts weren’t to be denied though, Mahabub Hossain levelling the score after a quick counter in the 64th minute.
India would break their hearts though, and in the process exact revenge with almost the final play of the tournament. A quick counter would see Abhishek in the box and his deflection with seconds to the hooter, took India to the title. Hardik Singh was named the Man of the Match. Pankaj Kumar Rajak was named the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
