A 67th-minute strike by second-half substitute Jeong Sang-Bin ended India’s impressive run at the AFC U-16 Championship with favourites South Korea recording a hard-fought 1-0 win in Malaysia on Monday.
Goalkeeper Niraj Kumar, who was perhaps the best Indian player on the pitch, got down well to a shot from MS Choi but could only parry it to the onrushing Korean forward who scored from close range. India paid the price for a series of missed clearances in the lead-up to the goal while Kumar was left disappointed with touching the ball on to Jeong.
This was the first goal conceded by India in the tournament and their defence once again showed great resolve in keeping the Koreans at bay, a side who was scoring for fun in the group stage, defeating Australia 3-0 and Afghanistan 7-0. On the night, Korea could only score the solitary goal that came after a series of great saves by Kumar.
India, who would have been assured of a spot in the next edition of U-17 World Cup in Peru with a win in this game, had the best chance of the first 60 minutes of play, with Givson Singh striking a brilliant volley early in the second half that the Korean goalkeeper just about managed to keep out.
After conceding the goal, coach Bibiano Fernandes made a series of substitutions as India fought hard to find a way back into the match, but Korea displayed good game management to emerge victorious.
With this defeat India failed to qualify for the 2019 Fifa Under-17 World Cup in Peru.
The Indians, playing in their first quarterfinals of the tournament in 16 years, gave a gritty fight but the Koreans were too good for them. The four semifinalists from the AFC U-16 Championship qualify for the World Cup which India had taken part in the 2017 by virtue of being the host team.
Despite Monday’s loss, the Indians will return with their heads held high as they lost to a much superior team. They also conceded just one goal in the tournament.
In the 14th minute, Niraj was called into play and he made an excellent save to deny the Koreans from taking the lead. He then made two back-to-back saves in the 34th and 36th minutes to keep a clean slate for his side.
The Indians defended deep in the first half as the Koreans pressed for an early goal.
Just minutes before the first half, Ravi Rana’s shot from a distance forced the Korean custodian to make a decent save as both the teams went into the breather goal-less.
Changing over, the Indians emerged with much vigour and almost caught the Korean defence napping in the 52nd minute when Givson’s first-time volley earned a decent save from the opposition custodian.
Two minutes later, Korea gave India a scare when a free-kick attempt rattled the Indian bar and went out of play. In the 64th minute, Niraj once more made a fantastic diving save to deny the Koreans from close range.
The Indian defence finally gave way in the 67th minute when Jeong tapped in from close range. In search of an equaliser, the Indians initiated some attacks but the Korean defence line held firm. Vikram Partap proved to be a threat down the flanks but for all his possession around the box, could not create a clear goal scoring opportunity.
In 2002 also, India had lost to the same opponents, that time by 1-3 margin. The Indian side had progressed to the quarterfinals after finishing runners-up in Group C with five points from three matches.
(With PTI inputs)
