India’s first appearance in a FIFA World Cup across all age groups and sex ended in heartbreak as the Indian Under-17 team lost its final group game 4-0 against Ghana, thus bowing out of the tournament without any point. The results in the competition, however, is not justifying the performances from the Indian colts who gave their all against their far superior oppositions.
Come On India! #FIFAU17WC #GHAvIND #BackTheBlue pic.twitter.com/X0j6sQWWog
— Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (@GurpreetGK) October 12, 2017
Contrary to the widespread speculations, the early stage of the game was not dominated by Ghana, and it was an end to an endgame with both the teams taking their chances. India got a corner in the very first move of the game before Sadiq Ibrahim’s low cross tested Dheeraj Singh at the other end.
In the sixth minute, Ghana launched a stunning counter-attack, but the offside flag saved the hosts. With India trying to attack right from the start, it allowed Ghana to exploit the space, and they fully capitalised on it.
Sadiq Ibrahim was creating all sorts of problems for Sanjeev Staling on the right wing, outrunning him on every occasion. In the 20th minute, Ibrahim once again left Stalin for dead and blasted a powerful shot which Dheeraj tipped over the post. India, however, defended out of their skin and did not let the opposition breach the goal but just before the break their dodgy performance ended in heartbreak when Eric Ayiah opened the scoring.
51' Indians are losing the possession but they are defending innocuously #GHAvIND #BackTheBlue #FIFAU17WC
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 12, 2017
It was once again all Sadiq Ibrahim on the right flank as he beat Stalin with utmost ease before sending in a dangerous cross. Dheeraj managed to get his hand, but Ayiah was present at the proper position at the right time to fire in the rebound.
Ghana then all but sealed the game in their favour when Ayiah scored his and Ghana’s second seven minutes into the second half. It was all Ghana from there on with the Indian team just restricted to defending attack after attack. The African team then put the game to the bed by scoring two goals in as many minutes just before the full-time.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the match:
For those who'll only see the 4-0 score line – Not a fair assessment of how well India played. The attitude & pace was special #FIFAU17WC
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) October 12, 2017
Irrespective of the the results, the boys showed great character in this #FIFAU17WC the experience itself will help them in the years 2 come
— Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (@GurpreetGK) October 12, 2017
Results at this age are meaningless. Wouldn't have mattered had we drawn a game. We're ages behind most countries though. #FIFAU17WC
— Bhargab Sarmah (@BhargabSarmah) October 12, 2017
#GHAvIND
Disappointment,for the players but it sure must have been a great learning experience.
Hope #Football will also run in our blood. pic.twitter.com/5rpFoiqj7T— amit (@malhani_367) October 12, 2017
End of India's campaign at #FIFAU17WC
Some positives
One goal
No resultKnocked out in group stage.
— Manasi Pathak (@ThatUnitedLady) October 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/Arjun599/status/918513214786174976
Such a poor display in the second half after a decent first, I guess the worst in this tournament #GHAvIND #FIFAU17WC
— siju mathew (@sijumathew94) October 12, 2017
Just for a bit of perspective, the kid who just scored against India has been on Man City's radar for a while #GHAvIND #IndianFootball
— Vishnu Prasad (@visheprasad) October 12, 2017
Indian defenders look puny and scared in front of Ghana players who take wide strides and get past the Indian defence with ease #GHAvIND
— Kashmiri Heathen (@rahulkaulvakil) October 12, 2017
#GHAvIND never saw the ball inside Ghanaian penalty area…the possession will be 80:20 or more
— Ram (@explorerpkm) October 12, 2017
#GHAvIND Indians are showing fancy footwork instead of passing. We need goals not dribbles for it to happen we need the final ball in
— Sandeep (@Sandsind) October 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/RedDevil_Mumbai/status/918503223249461248
https://twitter.com/sfdez08/status/918500531747745792
#GHAvIND
1)park the bus
2)defend with luck
3)hit that long ball
4)pray that Ghana defence makes mistake
Rinse and Repeat and hope for goal— Sandeep (@Sandsind) October 12, 2017