AFC U16 Championship: Niraj Kumar shines as India hold Iran to goal-less stalemate

AIFF Media

Goalkeeper Niraj Kumar saved a spot-kick as India U16s held firm for a hard-earned draw against their Iran counterparts....

India U16 took a big step towards qualification for the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) U16 Championship knock-outs by holding heavyweights Iran to a goal-less draw at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

It was Iran who asserted the early dominance in the match by taking control of the midfield. India custodian Niraj Kumar was called into action early with a couple of long range attempts from Iran and was up to the task.

Iran came very close to taking the lead in the 23rd minute of the match after the Indian defence had blocked another attempt from distance. From the resulting corner, Team Melli Nojavanan struck the bar as India breathed a huge sigh of relief. 

Iran’s onslaught on the Indian goal continued as the half progressed with Niraj being kept busy. India’s first attempt on the Iran goal came in the 35th minute with Ridge Demello’s attempt from outside the box sailing over the bar.

Iran’s forwards fluffed an excellent opportunity to take the lead in the dying minutes of the first-half with the two teams going into the interval at 0-0.

It was once again Iran who came flying out of the blocks in the second period with India’s defence being put under constant pressure. Bibiano Fernandes changed things up slightly by bringing on Harpreet Singh and Lalchhanhima Sailo for Shabas Ahammed and Givson Singh.

A foul in the Indian box resulted in an Iranian penalty in the 75th minute of the match but the sensational Niraj guessed correctly before pulling off an excellent save.

Fernandes made his final throw of the dice in the 83rd minute by bringing on Harpreet for Ridge Demello but it was Iran who continued to amp the ante. India earned a rare corner in the dying minutes of the match but were unable to create any impact with the set-piece.

India's compact defence held strong until the final whistle as the two teams took an equal share of the spoils.

India will now take on Indonesia in their final Group C fixture on Thursday while Iran will lock horns with Vietnam.

India U16 starting XI: Niraj Kumar (GK); Thoiba Singh, Shabas Moothedath, Bikash Yumnam, Gurkirat Singh; Ravi Rana, Givson Singh, Ricky Shabong, Ridge Demello; Bekey Oram, Vikram Pratap Singh (C).