Malemngamba Thokchom netted a timely equaliser for India in their 1-1 draw against Vietnam in the opening Group D match of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Football Championship, in Pathum Thani, Thailand, on Saturday.
Vietnam had taken a lead towards the end of the first half, courtesy a strike from Long Vu but India left-back Thokchom helped his side restore parity in the 69th minute and earn a point in the competition.
India will play Uzbekistan and Japan in their next two group league games. Uzbeks held the Japanese to a 1-1 draw in the other group league encounter.
For the young Indian side, it was a cautious, yet controlled start as they enjoyed better ball possession for large parts of the play and were raiding the Vietnam half time and again.
India were awarded free-kicks early in the match but Vanlalpeka Guite and Lalpekhlua Ralte's efforts were headed away.
Akash Tirkey had a great chance when he dribbled past two defenders, but he shot wide of the goal.
Vietnam took the lead against the run of play in the dying minutes of the first half, when they cleared a corner by Danny, and Long Vu darted off past the half-line to initiate a counter-attack. He swiftly ran into the Indian box and slotted it into the net.
Long Vu could have doubled the lead, but his header in added time of the first half crashed against the upright before it was cleared.
India head coach Bibiano Fernandes made the first change, Thanglalsoun Gangte going in for midfielder Tirkey.
The Blue Colts began to find their rhythm as the first 10 minutes of the second half came to an end. Danny tried his luck with a back volley, but it was straight at the keeper.
The left-back Thokchom drew India level with 21 minutes left on the clock, when his left-footed effort from long range nestled into the top corner in a spectacular fashion, giving Ngoc no chance.
India had a great opportunity to take the lead deep into added time, when a cross by captain Korou Singh was attacked by Gangte, but the shot was saved. Substitute Omang Dodum got on the rebound, but volleyed it wide.
