India won the bronze medal in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-15 Boys Championship, defeating hosts Nepal 1-0 in the third-place playoff at the ANFA Complex in Kathmandu today. India played the third-place match after losing to Bangladesh in the semifinals 2-4 via tie-breaker.

Indian boys advanced to the semi-finals hammering Bhutan 4-0 in their last Group-B league match. Odisha forward Aman Xalxo scored the last goal for India. Earlier India suffered an upset when they lost to Pakistan 1-2 in their opening Group-B match.

Three players from Odisha represented the Indian U-15 team in this championship. They were: Tankadhar Bag (Sports Hostel, Balangir), Aman Xalxo (Rourkela) and Purusottam Kerketta (Sports Hostel, Sundargarh). Subhendu Panda, an AFC Level-A coach from Odisha, was the coach of the Indian team.

INDIA U-15 TEAM:

Goalkeepers: Dipesh Chauhan, Santosh Singh Irengbam, Frevino Fernandes
Defenders: Kushang Subba, Abdul Hannan, Sajad Hussain Parray, Tanchok Hang Subba, Evan Thapa, Ankit Toppo, Tankadhar Bag
Midfielders: Lalpekhlua Jongte, Lalrinsanga Samuel, Lalrampana Pautu, Shubho Paul, Ngamminlun Khongsai, Fredy Chawngthansanga, John Tshering Lepcha, Chawnghlut Lalchhanhima, Harsh Shailesh Patre
Forwards: Aman Xalxo, Arya Gandarva, Purusottam Kerketta, Thlacheu Vanlalruatfela
Head Coach: Shuvendu Panda

RESULTS:
October 25: India (Thlacheu Vanlalruatfela 53) lost to Pakistan (Adnan Justin 30, ? 85) 1-2.
October 29: India (Shubho Paul 4-P, 83; Subba Kushang 66, Aman Xalxo 89) beat Bhutan 4-0.
November 1 (SF): India (Harsh Patra 17th) lost to Bangladesh (93-P) 2-4 in tie-breaker (Full time 1-1 draw).
November 3 (For 3rd place) : India (Thlacheu Vanlalruatfela 18th) beat Nepal 1-0.
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PHOTO: Indian U-15 team pose before the third-place match against Nepal in Kathmandu on November 3, 2018.