Win Projections to be updated soon
In the last game of Group ‘B’, India had to work hard for ninety-five minutes before Kipgen scored an incredible goal to enable the Blue Colts win the championship. Thus, India set up a semifinal match on Monday against the Group A runner-up and reigning champion, Bangladesh.India defeated the Maldives 1-0 after a last-minute goal from Manglenthang Kipgen, and on Friday, the team advanced to the SAFF U20 Championship semifinals.
The thrilling match against Maldives
Kipgen, who entered as a second-half substitute on Friday afternoon and was named the MVP of the SAFF U19 Championship the previous year after scoring a brace in the final against Pakistan, proved crucial once more for India as he kept his composure and deposited the ball into the bottom corner with his left foot from a distance of 25 yards.
Kipgen’s incredible goal was too much for Maldivian goalkeeper Mohamed Yaameen, who had been playing at the top of his game, stopping India multiple times throughout the course of the ninety minutes. India got off to a better start than anticipated and comfortably smacked the ball around. Compared to the first game, they appeared more adept in transition, with Korou Singh Thingujam and Kelvin Singh Taorem giving the attack the much-needed width.
India’s wingers and full-backs continued to threaten the Maldives with their pace, but their finishing touches inside the box were insufficient to end the half deadlocked. The assistant referee raised his flag for offside the one time the Blue Colts did manage to find the net.
A low pass across the goal’s face was delivered by captain Ricky Meetei Haobam two minutes before halftime. Kelvin raced to the back post to happily tuck it in, but the goal was disallowed due to a close decision on offside.
Kipgen’s game changing goal
India’s attack took on a different dynamic with the arrival of Kipgen as they searched for core areas. He found an unmarked Kelvin in the box in the 47th minute, but the player blasted his shot over. Later, unable to get his left foot to wrap around the ball enough, Kipgen himself fired one over the bar.
The big opportunity for the Maldives, who had not been able to test Priyansh Dubey in the India goal, came when skipper Shanaan Rashaadh’s free shot almost missed the crossbar. Time was not on India’s side, and in the 95th minute, Kipgen broke the tie with a flawless shot following a number of misguided long-range tries by Malemngamba Singh Thokchom and Naoba.
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