India began brightly and created a series of chances in the sixth minute. R Lalremruatfela delivered a low cross from the left that the Afghanistan goalkeeper failed to gather cleanly, but Victor Lalawmpuia was unable to react quickly enough to capitalise. India suffered a 1-2 defeat to Afghanistan in the quarter-finals for positions 81 to 88 at the FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival on Thursday. The Blue Colts will now face Kazakhstan, who lost to Hungary, in the semi-finals for positions 85 to 88 later on Thursday. Afghanistan opened the scoring against the run of play through Mohammad Mustafa (15′) before Shahzada Sultani (27′) doubled their lead. Nibas Meetei Wahengbam (36′) pulled one back for India, but the Blue Colts were unable to find an equaliser.
India lost 1-2 to Afghanistan in the quarter-finals for positions 81 to 88 in the FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival on Thursday.
The Afghanistan defence struggled to clear the danger, allowing Nibas to regain possession inside the penalty area. His attempted lay-off missed Lalawmpuia before reaching an unmarked Lalremruatfela, whose left-footed effort was well saved by the goalkeeper. The Blue Colts threatened again in the ninth minute when Nibas threaded an excellent through ball towards Lalawmpuia. The Afghan attacker drove forward, beat a number of defenders and smashed a powerful effort into the roof of the net at the near post.
However, the Afghanistan goalkeeper was alert and rushed off his line to collect the ball before the forward could get there.
