AIFF IX BEATEN BY HARIMAU MUDA OF MALAYSIA

Harimau Muda of Malaysia got the better of AIFF regional academy in a Group A match of Asia Champions Trophy at Barasat stadium.
The match started at a blistering pace and the momentum remained unchanged for the first 45 minutes with 5 goals been scored and two sent-offs. Haikal Ismail headed in from a corner in the 6th minute putting Harimau Muda ahead. But the lead was short lived as Anirudh Thapa was brought down inside box and Prosenjit Chakraborty found the equaliser from the spot.

Harimau Muda took just three minutes to go infront for the second time as Najmuddin Samant send home a delectable floater.In the 20th minute referee Thoriq issued marchig order to Amit Tudu and from the resultant free kick Dinesh Rajasingham curled in low shot to make it 3-1 for the visitors.

Down to 10 men and trailing by 2 goals Indian U-15 never gave up the fight and in the 36th minute Thapa was fouled again in the box. Prosenjit stepped up and kept his reputation intact tucking in a low shot into the right corner. At the dying minutes of first half Mizoram lad Jerry tried his luck from a diagonal angle outside the box which forced the visitors to make a goal line clearance. Score remain 2-3 at the half -time.

Game slowed down a bit in the second half where the host pushed hard for equaliser but the Malaysian out defended sturdily. In the 69th minute Najimuddin made a solo run on the break and scored his brace.

Two goals in 87rh and 89th minute, by Kogileshwaran from the spot and Najib Abdullah from open play took the match away from the host. Prasenjit was lucky to get a chance for the third penalty and completed his hat-trick with a consolation goal ending the match 6-3 for Harimau Muda.