Football: India U17 men put four past UAE in second friendly
New Delhi: The India U17 men’s team secured a 4-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the second and final friendly match at the Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Stadium in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, on Wednesday.
Kamgouhao Doungel and Md Sahir Ali scored to give the Blue Colts a 2-0 lead at half-time. After the restart, India added two more goals through Hrishikesh Manavathi and Ristik Maity to seal the solid win. The hosts could only manage a consolation in the second half.
Mehrajuddin Wadoo’s side had earlier played out a goalless draw against UAE in the first friendly on Sunday. Following the two matches, the team is set to depart for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, ahead of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027 Qualifiers.
India will begin their qualifying campaign against Singapore on November 11, before taking on Guam on November 14, Palestine on November 17 and hosting Malaysia on November 20.
Earlier, the India U17 men’s team played out a 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates in the first of two friendly matches at the Emirates Football Club Stadium in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, on Sunday.
A couple of weeks before that, the India U17 men’s team rounded off their friendly tour of Myanmar with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over the hosts in the second match at the StarCity Sports Club in Thanlyin, Myanmar, on October 7.
Captain Dallalmoun Gangte put the Blue Colts ahead in the first half. An own goal by Kyi Thar doubled the lead before Kamgouhao Doungel and Hrishikesh Charan Manavathi found the net once each to complete the tally, as Mehrajuddin Wadoo registered his first win as India U17 men’s head coach.
Both sides, who were preparing for the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, had played out a 1-1 draw in their first meeting three days ago.
The same squad that played the two friendlies against the UAE will also feature in the AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027 Qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur. The Blue Colts, aiming to qualify for back-to-back Asian Cups, have been drawn in Group E alongside hosts Malaysia, Palestine, Singapore and Guam.