India beats Myanmar 4-1 in AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers

The Indian team won its third straight match in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers and is top of its group with nine points from three matches.

The Indian team beat Myanmar 4-1 in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers. | Photo Credit: AIFF

The Indian men’s U-17 team thrashed Myanmar 4-1 in the Asian Cup Qualifiers in Al Khobar on Friday.

The first half began as a battle of attrition with no major chances being created. Both sides looked to build up from the back and control possession. The first shot on target came in the 21st minute through Korou Singh, who shot from the edge of the penalty area but it did not have sufficient power.

Six minutes later, the first breakthrough came as Guite’s free-kick from long range beat everyone in the penalty box and flew past the goalkeeper into the net. The goal sparked the game into life as India proceeded to score three more goals in a 12-minute spell.

Lalpekhlua was brought down in the penalty area in the 32nd minute and Gangte was on hand to slam home a powerful spot-kick. Two minutes later, Guite added his second as Korou intercepted the Myanmar goalkeeper’s pass and the Indian skipper latched on to the loose ball and finished tidily.

A teasing cross from the right found an unmarked Gangte inside the penalty area three minutes from the break, but his shot went over the crossbar. However, the forward registered his second goal of the evening in the 44th minute after finding the goalkeeper out of position and beating him with an instinctive finish from outside the box.

Myanmar struck its first goal in the 60th minute through HW Yan’s deflected shot. The Indian team, however, thwarted any hopes of a Myanmar comeback and did not concede any more goals to close out the match at the same score line.

With the win, it maintained its perfect record in the group and has nine points after three games. India plays Saudi Arabia next.