Sports

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Singapore, August 4: India’s Under-20 football team began its latest international friendly campaign on a winning note, defeating Singapore 3-0 in the first of two friendly matches played at the Sports Excellence facility in Bengaluru on Monday.

The Blue Colts produced a controlled performance throughout the contest and secured a comfortable three-goal victory. Rishi Singh opened the scoring for India in first-half stoppage time, finding the net in the 45+2nd minute and giving the hosts a 1-0 advantage going into the break.

India continued to maintain pressure after the restart and eventually doubled its lead through Shingamayum Shami in the 63rd minute. The second goal provided India with greater control over the match as the team continued to create opportunities and put the Singapore defence under sustained pressure.

Singapore’s difficulties increased late in the match when the visitors conceded an own goal in the 83rd minute. The unfortunate defensive error handed India its third goal and effectively sealed a convincing 3-0 victory for the young Indian side.

The friendly was an important opportunity for the Indian Under-20 team to assess its preparations and build cohesion ahead of more challenging international fixtures. The coaching staff also had the chance to evaluate players and tactical combinations in a competitive match environment.

India and Singapore will meet again on Thursday, August 6, in the second friendly of the series. The upcoming encounter will provide the Blue Colts with another opportunity to test themselves and further strengthen their preparations for the upcoming qualification campaign.

The Indian Under-20 side, coached by head coach Mahesh Gawali, has an important assignment ahead in the 2027 qualification campaign. The Blue Colts are scheduled to travel to Tashkent, where they will face Syria on August 31, followed by a meeting with hosts Uzbekistan on September 3.

India will then face Bangladesh on September 6 as the qualification campaign reaches its concluding stage. The matches are expected to provide a major test of India’s young players as they compete against strong opposition from the region.

The 3-0 victory over Singapore will therefore provide a confidence boost to the Indian camp. Scoring three goals while keeping a clean sheet will be particularly encouraging for the coaching staff as preparations intensify ahead of the qualification fixtures.

The second friendly against Singapore on August 6 is expected to be another valuable test for the Blue Colts. India will look to build on Monday’s performance, improve its attacking combinations and maintain defensive discipline as the team continues its preparations for the demanding road ahead.