Faiaz's late strike drives India to victory

SK Faiaz proved to be a super substitute for team India.

The youngster scripted a well-deserved victory against Nepal in India’s second Group A match of the AFC U-19 Championship (Qualifiers) at the Al Arabi Stadium in Doha on Sunday night.

Faiaz struck in the 87th minute to take India home last night and they now have three points from two matches.

Collecting possession from just outside the box after Gurba Gagrai had slipped in a delicious pass, Faiaz sped past defenders and made no mistake in slotting home from close range with goalkeeper Alan Neupane only managing to deflect his shot into the goal.

"It was a great performance. We showed that we are a 90-minute Team," Head Coach Colm Joseph Toal said.

"I thought we dominated the game for long spells. Even if we would not have won, I would have been happy for the way these Boys played tonight.

"The fact that we got a goal in the last five minutes shows their strong character too. There was a lot of support for Nepal. It was a great learning experience for them," he added.

On the offensive from the word go, Captain Souvik Das dinked a cross inside the area for Kumam Udanta Singh who scooped his 11th minute effort over the bar.

Nepal could hardly make any inroads as Colm Toal's wards turned on the heat on their 'noisy' neighbours with back-to-back corners kicks.

Of the three Germanpreet's flag-kick floaters from the right, Udanta drilled his shot wide, Shaiborlang Kharpan could not connect and Daniel Lalhlimpuia hit a defender.

It was only after the half hour mark did the Nepalese find their footing. Suman Lama ballooned his 35-yard screamer, while Asim Jung Karki failed to make the most of a counter attack, curling his left-footer wide of the target.

Trying to curtail India's industry in the final third, Nepal brought in more numbers behind the ball. Udanta's stinging grounder went inches off target while Deory headed wide.

India were finally rewarded three minutes from regulation time with Faiaz crowning a great display with a fine strike. India will play Uzbekistan next on October 10.

Photograph: AIFF Media