India (in blue) enjoyed a winning end to their AFC U-16 Championship campaign by edging Indonesia 1-0.TASHKENT – Manandeep netted the only goal as India edged out Indonesia 1-0 to claim their first AFC U-16 Championship points in Wednesday’s Group B finale at MHSK Stadium.
Manandeep, who was making his first start of the championship, headed home just before the break to hand India the win and third place the group and leave Indonesia pointless.
With only pride to play for after both suffered defeats by quarter-final qualifiers Korea Republic and Syria in their opening games in the Uzbekistan capital, Malsawmfella fired across the face of goal and team-mate Sarkar Tirthankar headed straight at goalkeeper Wahyu Aris as India edged the opening exchanges.
Bayu Fery tested Jayanta Paul from distance at the other end before Indonesia had penalty appeals waved away on the half hour mark as Mario Vava was out-muscled by India defender Vishal Kumar inside the area following a strong run.
Nine minutes before the break Indonesia’s Adi Hendra cut in front the right and surged towards the area, but lost hit footing as he shaped to shoot and sent a rising shot sailing over the crossbar, while at the other end Malsawmfella headed over for India.
Two minutes later India broke the deadlock as Ashish Chettri’s searching ball towards the edge of the Indonesia area drew Aris off his line, but the goalkeeper was left stranded as Manandeep rose above Lestusen Manahati to send a looping header into the back of the net.
Indonesia came within a whisker of equalising six minutes after the break as half-time substitute Iman Bayhaqi picked up the ball in space outside the India area and sent a dipping half volley towards goal, but with Paul rooted to the spot, the effort clipped the outside of the upright.
Bayhaqi continued his lively start to the half two minutes later as he forced Paul to race off his line and smoother at the feet of the onrushing Indonesia striker.
Aris kept Indonesia in the contest just after the hour mark as the custodian saved low at his front post from Malsawmfella after the India striker had cut in from the right and darted towards goal.
Hendra pulled an effort wide from the edge of the area, fired into the side netting from a tight angle and struck the outside of the post as Indonesia fell short of finding an equaliser in the closing stages.
Source:The AFC.com
