PANAJI
India despite all their possession and domination had to settle for a goalless draw against the Korea Republic in their last group league match at the Tilak Maidan, Vasco on Monday.
Courtesy the draw, India finished on two points from four matches but fell short of their goal of qualifying for the third place play-off. The result earned Korea Republic a summit clash with USA in the final on May 23 while Malaysia will lock horns with Tanzania in the third-place play-off the same day.
“India deserve all the praise,” Korea Republic coach Seo Hyowon stated at the post-match press conference. "They played as a team. They were good and in a better physical condition than us. They deserve all the praise,” he added.
The statement, a draw against the mighty Korea Republic is a testimony of the manner the Indian U-16 World Cup Team is shaping up, first for the AFC U-16 Finals (September 2016) and the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. However, India coach Nicolai Adam admitted that the team's “goal” wasn’t achieved.
“We did not get that addition match (the third placed play-off). Looking back, I feel we should have won that match against Malaysia,” he maintained. “We need to work harder and smarter prior to the AFC U-16 Finals. I have always maintained that my team is fit and the boys displayed to all that they are top fit. No one can say anything bad about today except the result.”
The second half all belonged to India. There were a series of attacks, the one-twos and the switching keeping the Koreans guessing and making them frustrated. The attacks gathered more pace with the inclusion of Aniket Yadav. Immediately after coming on, his sudden burst of speed caught the rival unaware but on both occasions his left-footer sailed over. The Indians stretched it to the flanks and there were numbers to fall back as much it was to counter attack.
Knowing that a draw will see them through to the final, the Koreans weren’t much willing to go into the attack mode. Very often, the Indians were outnumbered in the box. India’s last chance came in the last minute of the match but there was none to tap in Aimol’s low centre after he had cut in past his marker.
Earlier in the first half, Korea Republic on a couple of occasions did try their luck from around 30 yards but goalkeeper Nawaz wasn't to be beaten. India’s best chance came in the 20th minute when Komal Thatal managed to win the battle over his marker to enter the box. But his placement ran across the face of the goal.
In the 37th minute Ninthoi’s run down the right spit open the rival defence but as he entered the goal area he disbalanced himself and his weak shot was cleared without much haste. In added time, Nawaz came up with the save of the tournament denying Korea Republic with his reflexes as both teams headed to the interval locked goalless.
