The AIFF U-17 Colts bagged what they had dreamt off. The AIFF Academy cadets, deserving Champions of the Subroto Cup Football Tournament were handed over the Subroto Cup Champions Trophy by Pele at the Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi on Friday.
The AIFF Academy cadets came back from behind to rout Little Angels Paradise Secondary School, Manipur 4-1 in the Final.
With Pele himself watching from the stands, the Indian Colts, playing their hearts out making a spectacular comeback which will remain etched in hearts for long. AIFF President Mr. Praful Patel congratulated the boys on the feat: “Congratulations to the AIFF academy U-17 boys team on their emphatic victory in the Subroto Cup final”
The AIFF Academy cadets, who came into the final on back of a 2-0 win against Indonesia, however, weren’t off to a good start as they conceded one as early as the 6th minute. Not to be deterred the Indian Colts mounted their own attacks shortly after. In the 11th minute Edmund found Bedeshwor in an attempt to release him on goal but the latter was caught by the rival defence.
Seconds later, the rival Manipuri Goalkeeper timed his onrushing to perfection, thus denying Bodo from getting past him. The AIFF boys by then were slowly taking over the reins and the crowd was treated to some exquisite through balls. After wriggling past the opposition defence, Edmund shot onto goal, but the lanky forward’s shot was inches wide off the intended target in the 18th minute.
Eventually, the AIFF U17 Colts equalized in the 25th minute as Jaya’s delicious cross-in, after a lung-bursting run was tapped home by Bodo as both Teams headed to the interval tied 1-1.
Changing over, the Indian colts came close to taking the lead immediately but Bodo’s shot went agonizingly past the goal. Seven minutes later, the Colts were fostered a brilliant opportunity to take the lead as a whipped in cross from the right flank failed to be converted by Bedeshwor with the goal at his mercy.
With the Colts piling pressure and taking the game by the scruff of its neck whilst dominating possession, attacks on the Manipuri defence came in plenty. An Ashraf free-kick in the 46th minute of 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 scored and they did in the 54th minute with style. Rahul Yadav unleashed a swirling shot from 25yards which went past the Manipuri custodian. Minutes later, the AIFF Colts doubled the lead — this time Edmund slotting the ball past the Manipuri custodian to give the Colts a two goal advantage. Edmund then made it 3-1 and the AIFF cadets went on to score a fourth — Nijwm converting from the spot.
Thereafter it was all about patience for the Indian Colts and at the end of time the score-line read 4-1 as the AIFF U17 Colts lifted the coveted Trophy, that too from KING PELE.
This was a Press Release provided by AIFF.
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