SAFF U20 Championship 2024: India Triumph Over Bhutan with Monirul Molla’s Decisive Header

India kicked off their SAFF U20 Championship Group B campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bhutan at the ANFA Complex in Lalitpur, Nepal, on August 19, 2024.

Kelvin Singh Taorem 1024x732 1 SAFF U20 Championship 2024: India Triumph Over Bhutan with Monirul Molla’s Decisive Header

Despite being reduced to nine men by the 69th minute, the Indian team held their nerve, fending off intense pressure from Bhutan to secure all three points, courtesy of a well-placed header from Monirul Molla.

Early Dominance from India

India began the game in control, asserting their dominance with quick passing and high pressing. They maintained a high backline, keeping Bhutan pinned deep in their own half. The first major opportunity came when Gurnaj Singh Grewal intercepted a pass from Bhutan’s goalkeeper, Lhocho Nima, and attempted an audacious shot from over 40 yards. However, Nima was alert and managed to recover the ball just in time.

Set-pieces were a consistent threat for India, with Kelvin Singh Taorem delivering dangerous curling balls into the Bhutan penalty area. In the 14th minute, one such delivery found Thomas Cherian in the box, but his header glanced wide of the post.

While India controlled the ball and created chances, Bhutan struggled to mount any significant attacks. Their first real opportunity came from a free-kick in the 19th minute, earned after a foul on captain Pema Zangpo. Zangpo’s delivery found Jignam Dorji, but his effort was blocked by the Indian defense.

Monirul Molla Breaks the Deadlock

As Bhutan tightened up defensively, India shifted to long-range attempts to break through. Kelvin attempted a shot from 35 yards, but it sailed over the crossbar. Korou Singh Thingujam came closer minutes later, with a dipping shot that narrowly missed the target.

Korou Singh Thingujam 1024x645 1 SAFF U20 Championship 2024: India Triumph Over Bhutan with Monirul Molla’s Decisive Header

India’s persistence finally paid off in the 37th minute. Kelvin’s pinpoint corner found Monirul Molla, who rose above the Bhutan defenders to head the ball into the bottom corner, giving India a well-deserved 1-0 lead. Molla’s goal injected confidence into the Indian side as they continued to press forward in search of a second.

A Chaotic Turn of Events

India’s control of the match was abruptly challenged in the second half. Kelvin’s set-piece deliveries continued to cause trouble for Bhutan, with Ebindas Yesudasan’s header in the 52nd minute missing the post by a narrow margin. However, the match took a dramatic turn in the 69th minute, when a scuffle between players resulted in three red cards. Bhutan’s Kinley Gyeltshen and India’s Pramveer and Vanlalpeka Guite were all sent off, leaving India with nine players on the field and Bhutan with ten.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, India continued to create opportunities. Monirul Molla, once again, nearly doubled the lead with a solo run from the halfway line, but he was denied by an excellent save from Bhutan’s goalkeeper, Nima.

Bhutan’s Late Surge

With India reduced to nine men, Bhutan saw their chance to exploit the situation and began piling pressure on the Indian defense. Jigme Namgyel came close twice, hitting the side netting and later flashing a low shot just wide of the post. Rigzin Dorji also had a golden opportunity to level the score, but his attempt was thwarted by Indian goalkeeper Priyansh Dubey, who managed to recover in time.

Monirul Molla 800x500 1 SAFF U20 Championship 2024: India Triumph Over Bhutan with Monirul Molla’s Decisive Header

The final minutes of the game were filled with tension, as Bhutan launched wave after wave of attacks in search of an equalizer. In the 93rd minute, India came close to sealing the victory when Gwgwmsar Goyary set up Manglenthang Kipgen inside the box, but Bhutan’s Kinley Penjoy produced a last-ditch block to deny a certain goal. Kipgen had another chance in the 99th minute, with a lobbed effort from 25 yards that was pushed onto the crossbar by Nima.

India Holds Firm

Bhutan’s final chance of the match came when Zangpo found himself in behind the Indian defense, but his left-footed shot struck the post, much to the relief of the Indian bench. Despite the late pressure, India’s defense stood firm, and they managed to preserve their 1-0 lead until the final whistle.

A Gritty Victory for India

India’s narrow victory over Bhutan showcased the team’s resilience and determination. Despite being down to nine men for the final 20 minutes, they held their ground and secured a crucial three points to begin their SAFF U20 Championship campaign. Monirul Molla’s header may have been the difference on the scoreboard, but it was India’s collective defensive effort that ensured the victory. As they look ahead to their next group stage match, the Blue Colts will aim to build on this gritty performance and push for a strong finish in the tournament.

When is the next Copa America?

2028

Read More: Chelsea 2024-25 Premier League Season Preview: Five Main Talking Points

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

More like this

Asia’s Chip Giants Bet Big on India’s Semiconductor Dream

Asia’s Chip Giants Bet Big on India’s Semiconductor Dream

Asia’s Chip Giants Bet Big: Discover how South Korea and Taiwan are following Japan’s lead in India’s...
ICC ODI World Cup: Top 5 Highest Score in World Cup history - all the details you need to know about!

ICC ODI World Cup: Top 5 Highest Score in...

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup has been a stage for cricketing excellence ever since it...
iPhone

India exported iPhones to US more than ever this...

India's bumper export of iPhones to US: Imagine walking into a bustling tech store in Mumbai, the...
Top 10 Most Popular International Cricket Teams on Social Media

Top Popular International Cricket Teams on Social Media 2025

Top Popular International Cricket Teams on Social Media: Cricket fans around the globe are passionate about staying...
India’s Bold Vision: 5,000 Unicorns in the Future – Piyush Goyal

India’s Bold Vision: 5,000 Unicorns in the Future –...

India has emerged as a global powerhouse for startups, with a thriving ecosystem that fosters innovation, entrepreneurship,...

LATEST NEWS

Tejasswi Prakash Opens Up About Live-in Relationship with Karan Kundrra on Celebrity MasterChef

Celebrity relationships in India often face intense scrutiny, particularly when couples choose living arrangements that challenge traditional norms. Television star Tejasswi Prakash recently offered...

Nikki Tamboli Breaks Down on Celebrity MasterChef Recalling Grandfather’s Last Wish

The glittering world of celebrity reality shows often reveals deeply personal moments that remind us of the human experiences shared by stars and viewers...

Studio Ghibli AI Photo trend: Expert warns it could come at a cost – hidden dangers you need to know

Studio Ghibli AI Photo trend: Searches for “ChatGPT Studio Ghibli” have skyrocketed by 1,200% over the past week, as social media floods with AI-generated portraits mimicking...

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning: Simon Pegg Teases Epic Franchise Culmination

The legendary Mission: Impossible saga appears to be approaching its thrilling conclusion as "The Final Reckoning" prepares to hit theaters on May 23, 2025....

Featured