(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
India’s U17 football team kicked off their SAFF U17 Championship 2025 campaign with a stunning 6-0 win over Maldives in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The young Blue Colts dominated from start to finish at the Racecourse International Stadium, showcasing sharp attacking play and solid defense to defend their title in style.
The match barely got underway when India took charge. Under coach Bibiano Fernandes, the team pressed high, kept the ball with smart passes, and switched flanks to confuse the Maldives defense. Star performer Wangkheirakpam Gunleiba shone on the left wing, using his speed and clever crosses to tear apart the opposition.
In the 12th minute, Gunleiba darted past his marker, cut inside, and delivered a perfect cross. Hrishikesh Charan Manavathi smartly let the ball run through, leaving Dallalmuon Gangte with an easy tap-in for the opener. India didn’t stop there. Gunleiba struck again in the 29th minute, racing down the left and squaring a low pass for Manavathi to bundle home the second goal past Maldives defender Ibrahim Avsam Abdulla.
Maldives struggled to respond, managing only a few long-range shots from players like Aakif Bin Mohammed and Aidh Mohammed Jaweez. They couldn’t match India’s energy or skill across the pitch.
The second half brought more fireworks. Just four minutes in, Denny Singh Wangkhem set up Gunleiba, who whipped in his third assist of the game. Kamgouhao Doungel rose to power a header into the net, making it 3-0. Gunleiba then grabbed his own goal in the 58th minute, blasting a powerful left-footed shot into the far corner after Wangkhem won the ball high up the field.
India piled on the pressure, and in the 68th minute, Maldives’ Avsam Abdulla fouled Rahan Ahmed in the penalty box. Gangte stepped up coolly from the spot to score his brace and push the score to 5-0. The rout finished in the 86th minute when substitute Azlaan Shah crossed from the right, and Aazim Parveez Najar headed home the sixth.
This emphatic victory puts India in a strong position in Group B of the SAFF U17 Championship 2025. Fans are already buzzing about the Blue Colts’ title defense after such a clinical display.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
