Tashkent: Determination! Wild Celebrations! History!
‘Ho – Ho – Ho…,” the chant started as soon the Team Bus started from the Transportation Institute Stadium. The chant was infectious – eventually, even the Bus Driver joined in.
Smiles! Relief! Joy! From the brink of sailing into history to making History! India came back from behind to rout Tajikistan 4-1 to qualify for the U-16 AFC Final Phase – the second time to do so in four years.
After Komron Tursonov had converted from the spot in the 16th minute to put Tajikistan in the lead, a ruthless display by India’s U-16 boys sealed it for them. Lalramzuava equalised off a direct free-kick while Uttam Rai tapped in after Daniel had got past two defenders to leave the score 2-1 at the interval.
Changing over, first stopper Sarthak Golui headed in Raja Rawat’s free-kick and when everyone was waiting for the Final Whistle, Daniel completed the rout. After all, nothing is over till the referee blows it.
Congratulations came pouring. The President of the All India Football Federation, Mr. Praful Patel congratulated the boys and the Head Coach Youth Development Mr. Colm Toal, on this achievement. “There is clear indication that Indian Football is moving ahead. We beat some of the best teams in Asia to qualify for the Final Phase, he said.
Kushal Das, the General Secretary of the AIFF also lauded the boys. “I congratulate the boys and Colm Toal for the way he has been nurturing our Youth Development Teams, which is now yielding results. I am very optimistic that our current initiative with FIFA for setting up Regional and Elite Academies will go a long way in taking Indian Football to the next level,” he said.
Everyone went mad in the Dressing Room. The last two days had been a nightmare. The manner the boys, spurred on by the team management came back after the 0-9 loss against Uzbekistan is bound to be folklore. Taunts from rival teams stayed the driving force.
Coach Thomas Joseph attributed the victory to “team effort.”
“Everyone has made a sacrifice – right from the boys to the team management. All have been away from their families for long. Hence, the satisfaction level stays higher,” he maintained.
The Uzbek Football Federation, generous as ever, lauded the Indian Team’s performance. ‘India deserves to be in the Final Phase,’ stayed the common sentiment among those present. The boys in the dressing room had gone berserk by then. Seeded fifth in the five-team Group, they overcame all to qualify for the Final Phase next year – the venue for which is yet to be finalised.
In the Team Bus, Bollywood songs made rounds; some sang regional folk songs, and danced. The rest clicked.
By the ‘Square of Amir Temur,’ they went up in chorus again. Right-hand raised with his horse in full gallop, Temur, symbolising arrogance, confidence, ability and courage, was still as ever. The boys have kept their word – ‘March Forward.’ The salute came from within.
Amidst the Qualification to the Final Phase, the ice-cubes in the ice box waited. The boys, for once, had forgotten their unique way of celebrating – eating the cubes.
INDIA: Supratim Bhattacharjee,; Myron Mendes, Sajid Dhot, Sarthak Golui, Nabin Rabha (Suman Saha – 63rd minute); Harmanjot Singh (Allen Deory – 29th), Nitin Jyal, Lalramzuava (C), Raja Rawat; Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Uttam Rai.
The squad was as follows:
Goalkeepers: Avinash Rao, Agaipal Singh, Supratim Bhattacharya.
Defenders: Myron Mendes, Maiban Jimmy Singh, Suman Shah, Sajid Dhot, Sarthak Golui, Rahul S, Nabin Rabha, Gurba Gagri.
Midfielders: Alen Deory, Harmanjot Singh, Nitin Jyal, Germanpreet Singh, K Lalramzuava, Lalrammuana, Raja Rawat, Geremsha Basumatary.
Forwards: Kamalpreet Singh, Daniel Lalhimpuia, Laldantsanga, Uttam Rai.
Coach: Thomas Joseph
Coach-cum-Manager: Chalil Melay Renjith
Goalkeeping Coach: Auguiar Luis Mario
Physio: S Babu
Assistant Coach: Bitan Singh
By Nilanjan Datta,
