Striker Gurkeerat Singh scored four goals: India They won the SAIF U-20 Championship trophy after beating Bangladesh 5-2 in extra time in the final here on Friday.
Both the teams were locked 1–1 at intervals and 2–2 after the completion of regulation time.
Gurkeerat scored in the 1st, 60th, 94th and 99th minutes while Himanshu Jangra scored another goal in the 92nd minute. For Bangladesh, Rajon Hawladar and Shaheen Mia scored in the 44th and 48th minutes respectively at the Kalinga Stadium.
Drama unfolded just after kick-off as India were awarded a penalty within 20 seconds. Himanshu collected a long pass from the right, removed his marker and deflected a long ranger, which rival goalkeeper Mohammad Asif managed to stop diving to his right. Gurkeerat, lurking around, was quick to react to the rebound. Asif, in his desperate attempt to keep Gurkeerat away, brought the Indian striker down inside the box. Gurkeerat gleefully bounced back from the spot to give India an early lead.
Should have doubled the lead in the 32nd minute which was the easiest of the half. But Gurkeerat failed to make it to the house. Taisan Singh also missed a chance in the 43rd minute. The curse of a missing chance gave India a tough fight as Bangladesh restored the level with a shot from Rajon Havaladar at the stroke of half-time.
Bangladesh in turn took the lead in three minutes. Amandeep misjudges his clearance with a harmless free-kick and it falls to Shine Mia, whose shot hits the post, and rolls off. India’s first replacement came in the 57th minute in a Tankadhar bag, which came for Mahesan Singh and a series of opportunities fell. After that the way.
The equalizer came within three minutes when a clearance fell on Gurkeerat just outside the box and he hit him with his right foot in the 60th minute. In the 63rd minute, Himanshu had another chance, but Asif cleared the threat. Bangladesh.
Four minutes later, Himanshu’s placement in front of Asif was a bit weak, allowing Azizul Haque to score. He was also in action when Asif dived to clear Bikash Yumnam’s curling centre. Head coach Shanmugam Venkatesh brought in Harsh Patre in place of Taisan Singh and India took the lead in the second minute of extra time (92nd).
Himanshu chased down an entertaining defense split pass from Harsh Patre and came up with a left footed finish for the first time. Gurkeerat completed his hat-trick in the 94th minute with Himanshu becoming the provider this time around. The fifth goal for India came in the 99th. Just as Gurkeerat gave another shout. He overtook some defenders and blasted it home from about 30 yards.
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