FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival: India to compete in Tier C after defeat to Senegal

India finished third in Group K with 10 points from five matches. | Photo Credit: AIFF MEDIA

India suffered a 1-6 defeat against Senegal in its fifth and final Group K match at the FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival in Baku on Monday.

The result, coupled with Cameroon’s 2-0 win over Bahrain, meant India finished third in Group K with 10 points from five matches. Group winner Cameroon and runner-up Senegal both finished on 12 points and will feature in Tiers A and B, respectively, in the tournament stage. India will be in Tier C to compete for positions 65th to 96th. Bahrain and Laos, with four points each, ended up in Tiers D and E, respectively, while Grenada finished last with one point and will be in Tier F.

Abdoulaye Diallo (9’, 11’, 18’, 31’) scored four goals for Senegal, including a first-half hat-trick, while Georges Kanfom (14’) and Pierre Mbengue (23’) added one each. Ronandev Aheibam (33’) pulled a goal back for the Blue Colts in the second half.

The opening five minutes were evenly contested before Senegal gradually increased the pressure and took greater control of the match.

READ | FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival: India sees off Bahrain to preserve unbeaten run

Senegal broke the deadlock in the ninth minute when Diallo received a pass from the right, advanced into the box and finished past India goalkeeper Jenit Ningthoujam from a narrow angle. It was the first time India had trailed in its five matches at the tournament, and the team could never recover from it.

Diallo doubled Senegal’s lead two minutes later, dribbling into the box from the left before unleashing a powerful left-footed strike into the far top corner.

Senegal extended its advantage in the 14th minute through Kanfom. Pierre Mbengue played a defence-splitting through ball, allowing Kanfom to take a touch, round the advancing Jenit and finish into an empty net.

Diallo completed his hat-trick in the 18th minute, sweeping home a cutback from Kanfom, who had reached the left by-line.

Mbengue added Senegal’s fifth goal in the 23rd minute. Jenit initially saved his effort in a one-on-one situation, but the rebound fell back to the Senegal midfielder, who converted on the second attempt.

Diallo scored his fourth of the evening in the 31st minute, receiving a pass from Kanfom inside the box before using a feint to create space and finish.

India pulled a goal back two minutes later on the counter-attack. Deepak Singh Arambam drove a low cross into the box, where Ronandev slid in to meet it with a first-time finish in the 33rd minute.