FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017, India Vs Ghana: India 0-4 Ghana FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017, India Vs Ghana: India 0-4 Ghana

India’s run at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 came to an end on Thursday as they went down 0-4 against Ghana, who took matters into their hand towards the end, scoring two goals in quick succession. India were anyway a weak team infront of the mighty African side but the way they held their fort in the first half is commendable. India realised their dream of playing in the FIFA World Cup last week as they took centrestage against USA in the first match followed by a heartbreaking loss to Colombia. With the loss, India ended their stint in their first FIFA World Cup ever. What India lacked in skills has been covered up with spirit so far. Here is how it happened:

India 0-4 Ghana: How it happened

FULL-TIME: The game was prove of how India need to train a lot more to reach the level of posing a strong competiton against world-class teams like Ghana and Colombia. The hosts started strongly, created decent chances. Even though they could not convert any, the Indian lads maintained a strong defence that was only broken with few minutes of the first half remaining. Second half was a different story altogether. Ghana captain Eric Ayiah completed his brace, before getting substituted by Richard Danso, who scored the third goal for Ghana. The embarrassing defeat became even more humiliating when almost immediately, Emmanuel Toku scored the fourth goal to end India’s run at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

85′ GOALS! They happened so quickly. After Eric Ayiah’s brace, the Ghana captain was replaced by Richard Danso, who came with a new energy that resulted in him scoring the third goal for the visitors. While the hosts were recovering from the third goal, Ghana decided to humiliate India further by adding another goal to take 4-0 lead, thanks to Emmanuel Toku.

84′ Rahul manages to create space and take a shot from the edge of the box, but the ball flies straight to the ‘keeper.

76′ India refuse to give up as they search to open their scoreline, just like last time against Colombia. They, however, look tired as Ghana play a relaxed game.

68′ Ghana again ruled offside. The visitors are so fast that they do not realise themselves when they overtake the Indian defenders…

58′ Ghana are now simply enjoying the game. They are trying all kinds of shots. The attack is strong. They are swinging in from corners, trying shots from half-line. In contrast of a relaxed Ghana, India look tense as they see the game slipping from their hands.

(Source: AP) (Source: AP)

52′ Substituion: India captain Amarjit Kiyam replaced by Rahim Ali!

Emmanuel Toku replaces Sadiq Ibrahim while Ninthoinganba Meetei comes off the bench to replace Nongdamba Naorem

48′ GOAL: Ghana extend the lead to 2-0 against hosts India. And a spectacular goal at that! Eric Ayiah scores his second today to weaken India’s chances of qualifying for the next round.

46′ Second-half underway at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and it again starts with some drama as Ghana are penalised after committing a foul. Sadiq Ibrahim receives a yellow card.

Half-Time: India played a strong game. They came well prepared. They knew Ghana was going to attack like a fearless beast. They held the fort for forty good minutes in the game, falling just two minutes before the whistle as Ghana’s key striker Eric Ayiah breached the Indian defence. However, still no hope lost. Another 45 minutes, another story.

43′ GOAL! India concede with two minutes remaining of the first-half. Ghana attack was too good for India to handle as they found the net a minute after they try a goal on target which was offside.

(Source: AP) (Source: AP)

42′ Dheeraj looked in need of help as he went down but recovered quickly. Difficult to survive without the Great wall of India

40′ Boris Thangjam is booked by the referee. Five minutes to go before the whistle

32′ So many chances but India refuse to let them convert it. Ghana were awarded free-kick at the top of the box but India planned a clever 10-man wall to not let the Africans take the lead. Good call! Ten minutes to go for the first half to end..

24′ Ghana changed their strategy after 20 minutes into the game. They go for long-shots, but not on target. India playing well so far..

20′ Twenty minutes into the first game and India have created multiple chances. However, everytime the hosts try to create the slightest of chance, Ghana respond with immediate attack. Dheeraj has been so far India’s unbreakable wall.

9′ Ghana are so quick in their attack! Ruthless! Three offsides in ten minutes! The visitors are awarded with another corner but the ball does not even reach the box

5′ Oh my oh my! Ghana charge after early scare. Their attack is so vicious that they found the net within five minutes of the game but the fourth referee rules it offside. What a sigh of relief for the home side!

2′ What a way to start for the hosts. A corner! Even though the lads in blue fail to convert it, good energy boost at the start of the game for both the players and thousands supporting the team. The ball lands in Ibrahim Danlad’s arms.

1956 hrs IST: What a crazy energy at JLN stadium. Match between India U-17 and Ghana U-17 underway.

1937 hrs IST: Few minutes left before the game to begin. Fans scream in hope, players pray before the national anthem as focus comes down to the match that is going to begin in a few minutes at JLN Stadium

1928 hrs IST: GHANA U-17 STARTING XI

Danlad Ibrahim (GK), Edmund Arko-Mensah, Najeeb Yakubu, Eric Ayiah (Captain), Ibrahim Sulley, Gabriel Leveh, Bismark Owusu, Gideon Mensah, Rashid Alhassan, Sadiq Ibrahim, Isaac Gyamfi

1920 hrs IST: Indian players warm up for the match against Ghana. Among the players is Jeakson, who scored India’s first FIFA World Cup goal in the match against Colombia, giving every Indian watching the match something to cheer about for the rest of the week. Will the team be able to produce a match that India don’t stop talking about the rest of the month? Only time will tell.

1855 hrs IST: INDIA U-17 STARTING XI

Dheeraj Singh (Keeper), Boris Thangjam, Jitendra Singh, Anwar Ali, Suresh Wangjam, Amarjit Kiyam (Captain), Jeakson Thounaojam, Nongdamba Naorem, Rahul KP, Aniket Jadhav

1845 hrs IST: Fans are out in big numbers to support India U-17 team’s possibly last encounter in the football extravaganza. And why would they miss the opportunity after a week of impressive play. Enjoying while it lasts..

1830 hrs IST: Hello and welcome to our live coverage of India’s last group stage match against Ghana in the FIFA U-17 World Cup taking place at Jawaharlal Nehru in New Delhi. All eyes are on the Indian lads who have proven their worth in the last one week with impressive skills, passion and the first FIFA World Cup goal.

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