Bedashwar Singh netted twice for India, runner-up of the last edition, that came up with a well-coordinated show to defeat the Lankans and strengthen chances of reaching the semifinals from the three-team group. Skipper Krishna Pandit and Prosenjit Chakraborty were also on the scoresheet for India. SS Niresh pulled a goal back for Sri Lanka. India will meet Bangladesh in its next match of Group B on Thursday. [break]
India coach Gautam Ghosh said the performance was more important than the result and that he was satisfied with the performance. "They came up with a good performance in the first match. I have not pressed the team for win," Ghosh said. "I have given more priority to performance than results. Our primary aim is the make a strong team in future and build good teams in all age groups."
According to Ghosh, Kolkata Football Academy was representing India in the tournament among the four academies across the country. "Different academies represent India in age group tournaments and it provides equal opportunities to each of them and help build a strong national team in future."
On Sunday India took the match under control from the beginning and piled consistent pressure on the opposition. Sri Lanka custodian KAB Prabath denied Chakroborty in the early 10th minute, but Indian skipper Pandit broke the deadlock in the 21st minute with a skillful display rounding three Sri Lankan players and then beating custodian Prabath.
India doubled the advantage two minutes later through Singh who succeeded in his second attempt after his first shot rebounded off goalie Prabath. Sri Lanka cut the deficit one minute before the interval when Niresh unleashed a powerful strike from 35 yards stunning Indian custodian Dheeraj S Moirangthem.
Sri Lanka failed to create any opportunity in the second half while India added two more goals. In the 67th minute Chakraborty made it 3-1 with a well-placed shot from outside the area. Singh sealed the victory with his second goal one minute from time.
Despite the defeat Sri Lankan coach Nimal Wijesekara expressed satisfaction over his team´s performance. "We are concentrating more on preparations for the AFC Qualifiers and the tournament is a great opportunity for competing in the qualifiers. We still have chances of crossing the group stage," shared Wijesekara.
Nepal takes on Afghanistan today
KATHMANDU: Host Nepal will face Afghanistan in its second match of the SAFF U-16 Championship on Monday at the Dasharath Stadium, Kathmandu. Nepal had defeated Bhutan 7-0 in its first match at the same venue on Saturday while Afghanistan held defending champion Pakistan to a goalless draw at the Physical Training and Sports Complex (Army ground), Lagankhel. A victory over Afghanistan on Monday is likely to secure Nepal´s place in the semifinals with a match in hand. Nepal will meet defending champion Pakistan on Wednesday in its last group match while Afghanistan will lock horns with Bhutan.
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