India U-16 defeated Yemen 3-0 to end their WAFF U16 Championship campaign on a high in Jordan on Tuesday. The win comes on the back of a remarkable 1-0 win over Asian champions Iraq in their previous game.
Harpreet Singh's header gave India a deserved lead in the 38th minute. Quick goals from Ridge Demello and Rohit Danu at the start of the second half ended the contest in a match that was dominated by the Blue Cubs.
India looked comfortable on the ball from the off with Vikram Pratap acting as the target man for the team's forays forward. The opponents resorted to quick breakaways as they searched for a breakthrough.
While Vikram's presence up front made the defenders uneasy, the opening goal came from a corner kick taken by Givson Singh. Harpreet Singh rose the highest to send a powerful header into the net and place India in the driving seat.
India piled up the pressure at the start of the second half and scored two goals in two minutes to end Yemen's hopes of a comeback. A long ball from Moirangthem Singh kick-started a counter-attack down the right flank. Rohit outpaced his marker and delivered a floating cross towards the far post where an unmarked Ridge Demello nodded the ball into the net.
Skipper Rohit Danu settled the tie once and for all soon after India doubled their lead. Ridge played the ball forward to Bekey Oram at the edge of the box. The Odisha-born attacker found Rohit Danu to his left. Rohit placed a curling, first-time effort with his right foot into the bottom corner to seal the deal.
India registered wins against Jordan, Iraq and Yemen and lost to 1-2 to Japan at the 5th U16 WAFF Championship.
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