India end FIFA U15 World Cup Festival campaign with 6-4 win over Cuba

Baku (Azerbaijan): India boys concluded their campaign on a winning note at the FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival, defeating Cuba 6-4 in the 87th-place play-off at the Hovsan Competition Complex Pitch 1B in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Friday.

Victor Lalawmpuia, Nibas Meetei Wahengbam and R Lalremruatfela scored twice each as the Blue Colts secured victory in their 10th and final fixture of the tournament. India built a commanding 6-1 lead before Cuba scored three late goals to narrow the margin.

At the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival, India registered five wins, against Laos, Cameroon, Bahrain, Trinidad and Tobago, and Cuba. They suffered four defeats, to Senegal, Honduras, Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, and drew once against Grenada to finish 87th among 189 participating nations.

In the final fixture, Bibiano Fernandes’ side were on the attack from the outset and needed less than a minute to take the lead. Lalawmpuia stole possession from Cuba’s central defender, evaded a challenge and calmly placed his shot into the bottom-right corner.

India doubled their advantage in the sixth minute through a well-worked move down the left. Lalremruatfela and Muhammad Sohil Khan combined before the latter delivered a cross across the face of the goal, beyond the reach of the Cuban defence and goalkeeper. An unmarked Nibas arrived at the far post and tapped the ball home.

Cuba responded by testing Dhannya Desai from distance and close range, but the India goalkeeper produced several important saves to preserve his side’s two-goal cushion, AIFF reported.

India extended their lead in the 12th minute following a set piece. Sohil floated a free-kick into the area from the left, and although Cuba cleared the initial delivery, Nara Meitei Loushambam sent the ball back into the penalty box. Lalremruatfela was left unmarked and tapped it home to make it 3-0.

Cuba pulled a goal back in the 19th minute after an error in the Indian defence, but the Blue Colts returned with renewed attacking intent and restored their three-goal advantage in the 22nd minute. Nibas struck powerfully from long range to score his second.

Lalawmpuia followed suit a minute later. Receiving the ball well outside the penalty area, he held off a Cuban challenge before trying his luck with his left foot. His shot took a deflection, looped into the air and dipped beyond the goalkeeper’s reach to make it 5-1.

Lalremruatfela then completed his brace in the 27th minute as India capitalised on more slack Cuban defending. Left unmarked, he collected Desai’s goal kick and beat the goalkeeper with a powerful left-footed finish to score India’s sixth.

Cuba continued to search for a response, but Desai remained alert, making further saves before being replaced by Jenit Ningthoujam.

The Caribbean side reduced the deficit in the 33rd minute from the penalty spot before scoring twice more in the 34th and 39th minutes.

However, the late rally came too late to overturn India’s advantage. The Blue Colts held on to secure the win.

R Lalremruatfela finished the tournament as India’s top scorer with nine goals, followed by Lalawmpuia with eight, Nibas with four, Macdonnish Ngairangbam and Ronandev Aheibam with three each, and C Lalhmingropuia and Soumojit Sarkar with one each.