India suffered a 1-2 defeat to Afghanistan in the quarter-finals for positions 81 to 88 at the FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival on Thursday. The Blue Colts will now face Kazakhstan, who lost to Hungary, in the semi-finals for positions 85 to 88 later on Thursday. Afghanistan opened the scoring against the run of play through Mohammad Mustafa (15′) before Shahzada Sultani (27′) doubled their lead. Nibas Meetei Wahengbam (36′) pulled one back for India, but the Blue Colts were unable to find an equaliser. India began brightly and created a series of chances in the sixth minute. R Lalremruatfela delivered a low cross from the left that the Afghanistan goalkeeper failed to gather cleanly, but Victor Lalawmpuia was unable to react quickly enough to capitalise.
The Afghanistan defence struggled to clear the danger, allowing Nibas to regain possession inside the penalty area. His attempted lay-off missed Lalawmpuia before reaching an unmarked Lalremruatfela, whose left-footed effort was well saved by the goalkeeper.
The Blue Colts threatened again in the ninth minute when Nibas threaded an excellent through ball towards Lalawmpuia. However, the Afghanistan goalkeeper was alert and rushed off his line to collect the ball before the forward could get there.
Despite India’s promising start, Afghanistan took the lead. Sultani’s cross from the left found Mustafa, who escaped the attention of his marker, Birjit Singh Amom, and fired a right-footed volley into the net.
Afghanistan doubled their advantage in the 27th minute after forcing an error from India. Under pressure from Khair Mohammad Nazari, Nara Meitei Loushambam misplaced a pass that was intercepted by Sultani.
The Afghan attacker drove forward, beat a number of defenders and smashed a powerful effort into the roof of the net at the near post.
India looked to respond on the counterattack but struggled to make the most of their set-piece opportunities. Their persistence finally paid off in the 37th minute.
Lalremruatfela controlled a long ball inside the penalty area and laid it off for Nibas, who finished calmly to reduce the deficit.
The Blue Colts pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Afghanistan held firm to secure victory and end India’s hopes of finishing higher in the standings.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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