FIFA U-17 WC 2017: India's promising campaign comes to a halt

India end their campaign in the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 with a heavy defeat against Ghana

It was a positive start from the Indian U-17 team against Ghana in the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 playing their final group game. India were full of confidence after a gutsy show against Columbia in their last group match. Every move from a strong Ghana side was matched equally by the Indian team. Unlike the game against USA and Columbia, India were more aggressive in their approach as they pushed high up the pitch. The first half looked to be ending on a stalemate before Ghana scored from a lightening fast attack from the right channel. That's precisely when the Indian team lost the confidence and the plot of the match took a wild swing.

Ghana attacked with more venom from the wings stretching the Indian defense with pace and physique. The midfield looked out of sorts for the blues who were constantly losing possession at the middle of the park. Aniket was an isolated figure upfront hardly getting any support to make use of his shielding capability. Most of the time India had ten men behind the ball with Ghana enjoying mammoth possession. The scoreline turned from bad to worse as the game carried on with Ghana eventually winning the match 4-0 and thus India bowed out of the tournament with their biggest defeat. It was a combination of tired legs, tired minds and constant loss of possession in critical areas which made the scoreline look worse.

Despite the scoreline, Indian goalkeeper Dheeraj was once again the most commanding figure for the Young Blues. His shot saving and distribution were eye catching, as has been throughout the tournament. Defender Anwar Ali would also earn a lot of plaudits for his performance - a tall figure at the heart of the defense with good aerial ability as well as great positional sense and awareness.

INDIA: Dheeraj Singh; Boris Singh, Jitendra Singh, Anwar Ali, Sanjeev Stalin; Rahul KP, Amarjit Singh (Captain) (Rahim Ali – 63rd), Suresh Singh, Jeakson Singh, Nongdamba Naorem (Ninthoiganba – 58th), Aniket Jadhav (Lalengmawia – 77th).

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About Debraj Banerjee

Hi, I am Debraj Banerjee from Adra, West Bengal. A keen follower of Indian football and always an optimist that the game will get the recognition it truely deserves. What we ask from you is your support and one day the dream might turn true. Fingers crossed for Indian football. Cheers!

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