On Friday (29th July), the India U20 team registered a 4-0 win against the Sri Lanka U20 side at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar in the SAFF U20 Championship 2022.
In the SAFF U20 Championship 2022, the Indian colts started their campaign with a 2-1 defeat against Bangladesh last Wednesday (27th July). So, a victory was very crucial for the Indian team, which they managed in their second game of this tournament against Sri Lanka.
In the recent game of the tournament between India vs Sri Lanka, the half-time scoreline was 0-0. However, the hosts dominated the second half of that game as the Golden Army youths surrendered. After Himanshu Jangra scored the first goal (50’) of the match, Parthib Gogoi scored a brace (69’ and 90’+3’) and Gurkirat Singh added once (74’).
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Indian team dominated in the second half
The 18-year-old Delhi FC’s forward Himanshu Jangra opened the scoreline of the game in the fifth minute of the second half. Unmarked Jangra comfortably netted the ball with a header following a good cross from Parthib Sundar Gogoi.
In the 69th minute of the match, the 19-year-old Indian Arrows’ striker Parthib Gogoi made the scoreline 2-0 with a strong finish.
Just around five minutes later, the 19-year-old Mumbai City FC footballer Gurkirat Singh strengthened the hosts after successfully converting a penalty.
In the three minutes of the stoppage time of the final half, Gogoi scored his double of the game with an easy finish in an open chance.
SAFF U20 Championship 2022: The hosts are still under pressure
Despite this win, the Indian colts are still under pressure as they are currently in the third spot in the round robin stage points table with three points in two games. While the top two teams of the final points table will qualify for the final of this competition, Bangladesh and Nepal are currently holding the top two spots on the points table respectively.
While Bangladesh have earned nine points in three games by winning all three matches, Nepal are standing with six points in two games as they have also won both their matches.
The hosts India will face Nepal on 31st July and Maldives on 2nd August. Observing the present situation, the hosts need to win both the remaining matches to strongly position themselves in the battle for the final spots of this competition.
