New Delhi: The AIFF Academy boys outplayed Little Angels Paradise Secondary School of Manipur 4-1 to clinch the Subroto Cup U-17 title at the Ambedkar Stadium here on Friday.
The AIFF Academy cadets, who came into the final on the back of a 2-0 win against Indonesia, were off to a shaky start as the Manipuris took the lead in the sixth minute.
Not to be deterred, the AIFF U-17 boys played an aggressive game, creating chances at regular intervals. In the 11th minute Edmund found Bedeshwor in an attempt to release him on goal but the latter was tackled by the Litte Angels defence.
Seconds later, the Manipuri goalkeeper pulled off a perfectly timed save, thus denying Bodo from getting past him. By then, the AIFF boys were slowly taking over the reins and the crowd was treated to some exquisite through balls.
In the 18th minute, Edmund wriggled past the Manipuri defence, but the lanky forward's shot missed the target by inches.
Eventually, the AIFF U-17 colts equalised in the 25th minute as Jaya went on a lung-bursting run before essaying a delicious cross which was tapped home by Bodo.
The Indian colts came close to taking the lead almost immediately after the break, but Bodo's shot went agonizingly wide. Seven minutes later, the AIFF boys wasted another brilliant opportunity as Bedeshwor was unable to convert a cross from the right flank with the goal at his mercy.
With the AIFF colts piling on the pressure and dominating possession, attacks on the Manipuri defence came aplenty. An Ashraf free-kick in the 46th minute from the edge of the penalty box flew inches over the bar, after ricocheting off the Manipuri wall.
It was only a matter of time the AIFF colts took the lead and they did so in style in the 54th minute. Rahul Yadav unleashed a swirling shot from 25 yards which went past the Little Angels custodian.
Minutes later, the AIFF colts increased the lead as Edmund slotted the ball past the Manipuri custodian.
The AIFF cadets scored their fourth when Nijwm converted from the spot.
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