New Delhi: India rode on a stirring second half show Wednesday to blank Palestine 3-0 in the AFC U-16 Championships 2018 Qualifiers at the Halchowk Stadium in Kathmandu.
Givson opened the scoreline from an impeccable free-kick in the 51st minute. It was followed by a strike from Bekey in the 72nd minute. The last nail in the coffin was put by skipper Vikram in the 79th minute.
India came very close to drawing the first blood in the eighth minute but Bekey’s shot whizzed past the crossbar. In the 25th minute, Givson, who was operating as a free player in the middle third, broke through the Palestine defence. However, his cutback was blasted over the bar by Ricky. Three minutes later, India however, were distinctly unlucky not to go ahead as Harpreet’s volley ricocheted off the crossbar.
Changing over, Givson stunned the Palestine goalkeeper with his right-footed free-kick which swerved and hit the back of the net with force. Bekey then converted a meticulous cross from Ricky to double the lead. That made the issue safe with Vikram’s goal 11 minutes from time.
India next play against hosts Nepal, September 22.
