India went down fighting 0-1 against Korea Republic in the quarter-finals of the Asian U-16 Football Championship at the Petaling Jaya Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today. Jeong Sangbin’s strike in the 67th minute clinched the win for Korea and ensured them a ticket for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

India reached quarterfinals as Group-C runners-up with five points from three matches. They won one and drew two. Captain Vikram Singh’s 86th-minute penalty steered India to 1-0 win over Vietnam in opening match at the UM Arena in Kuala Lumpur on September 21.

India then held Iran and Indonesia to identical goalless draws at Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on September 24 and 27 respectively. Altogether 16 countries participated in this biennial championship. Teams were placed four groups and after completion of group league, top two teams from each group qualified for quarterfinals.

The four semifinalists qualified for 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup to be held in Peru. Two players from Odisha _ Bekey Oram and Samir Kerketta _ represented India in this championship. Soumya Rout, also from Odisha, was the physiotherapist of the Indian team.

TEAM INDIA: Niraj Kumar, Shabas Ahamed, Thoiba Singh, Bikash Yumnam, Gurkirat Singh; Ricky Shabong, Lalchhanhima Sailo, Givson Singh, Ravi Rana, Bhuvnesh Shendre, Bekey Oram, Samir Kerketta, Vikram Singh (Captain), Ridge De’Mello. Coach: Bibiano Fernandez.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO: India U-16 team with Odisha player Bekey Oram in the front row (2nd from Left).