Wangjam’s late equaliser keeps India’s hopes alive

MARGAO: Captain Suresh Singh Wangjam struck in the injury time to help India come from behind and hold Saudi Arabia to a 3-3 draw in a Group A match of the AFC U-16

Published on: Sep 19, 2016, 06:30:10 IST

By HT Correspondent

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MARGAO: Captain Suresh Singh Wangjam struck in the injury time to help India come from behind and hold Saudi Arabia to a 3-3 draw in a Group A match of the AFC U-16 football championships on Sunday.

India enjoyed a 2-1 lead in the first half through strikes from Aniket Jadhav (5th minute) and Aman Chetri (23rd).

Saudi Arabia scored through Aldhuwayhi Abdulaziz in the 34th minute before substitute Albrikan Feras Tariq found the net twice in quick succession in the 82nd and 83rd to put his team up.

But the home team did not lose heart and tried their best to find the equaliser and was awarded a penalty in the injury time which Suresh Singh Wangjam scored to split points.

There was more drama before the end of the final whistle as Saudi Arabia keeper Abdulaziz Almalki was red carded for abusing the referee.

Both the teams opened their account after Sunday’s draw and kept their chances alive for a place in the next round.

India, who looked more dominating in the first half, kept probing from the left and met early success in the fifth minute.

Komal Thatal, who got the ball on the left, raced into the box and from the sideline relayed the ball to Jadhav who showed great control before curling the left footer into the net.

The goal propelled the home team as they upped the ante and it resulted in the second goal in the 23rd minute.

Boris Singh Thangjam made a run down on the left and released the ball into the box for Chetri who made no mistake in finding the net with a low shot.

Saudi Arabia did not lose heart and crawled back when Aldhuwayhi Abdulaziz headed in the 34th minute.

Two-time champions Saudi Arabia applied tremendous pressure in the last ten minutes and were rewarded with two quick goals through Albrikan Feras Tariq in the 82nd and 83rd helped them take the lead.

But the home team made a counter attack and was awarded a penalty which Suresh Wangjam scored to the joy of the fans.

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