India U15 Beat Trinidad and Tobago After Honduras Defeat, Set Up Afghanistan Clash
Image: AIFF
Baku, October 28: India U15 experienced contrasting results on Wednesday at the FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival Azerbaijan 2026, losing 1-2 to Honduras in Tier C’s Round of 32 before producing a strong second-half comeback to beat Trinidad and Tobago 3-2 in the lower bracket Round of 16 at the Hovsan Competition Complex.
The defeat to Honduras ended India’s hopes of progressing in the main Tier C bracket, but the Blue Colts responded later in the day with one of their best comebacks of the tournament. Victor Lalawmpuia scored twice and R Lalremruatfela added the winner as India recovered from a two-goal half-time deficit against Trinidad and Tobago. The result set up a quarter-final against Afghanistan for positions 81 to 88.
India’s first match of the day against Honduras was evenly contested in the opening stages, with both teams enjoying spells of possession. The Blue Colts had early opportunities through Ronandev Aheibam and Nara Meitei Loushambam, but neither could find the target. Ronandev shot over from the edge of the box in the fourth minute, while Nara’s free-kick from just outside the area narrowly cleared the crossbar in the 15th minute.
Honduras took the lead three minutes later after a mistake in India’s build-up. Goalkeeper Jenit Ningthoujam’s misplaced pass was intercepted by Danio Flores, who took advantage and finished to make it 1-0. Honduras continued to press after the break, but India gradually worked their way back into the contest and found the equaliser in the 31st minute.
R Lalremruatfela started the move by finding Ronandev on the right. The forward sent a cross-turned-shot towards goal, with the ball flying into the far top corner beyond Honduras goalkeeper Santiago Borjas to make it 1-1. India then pushed for a second, with Lalremruatfela seeing a free-kick saved before Nibas Meetei Wahengbam was denied after winning possession high up the pitch. Muhammad Sohil Khan also went close with a long-range attempt.
Honduras punished those missed chances in the 37th minute. Josué Linares cut the ball back from the by-line and, after Sohil attempted to clear, it ricocheted off Jenit and fell to Alejandro Amaya, who finished into an empty net. India had one final chance in the closing seconds, but Nara’s long-range effort struck the crossbar as Honduras held on for a 2-1 win.
The result sent India into the lower bracket, where they faced Trinidad and Tobago later the same day. The second match began in difficult fashion for the Blue Colts despite a positive start. India created several early chances, but Trinidad and Tobago took the lead in the sixth minute when Jaylon Carrington controlled a long ball, held off the Indian defence and struck a half-volley into the top corner.
India continued to attack and came close through Lalawmpuia and Soumojit Sarkar, but goalkeeper Malachi Leach produced important saves to preserve the lead. Trinidad and Tobago then doubled their advantage in the 18th minute when Djoshua Cyrus turned onto his left foot from outside the box and drove a low shot into the far corner.
Trailing 0-2 at half-time, India returned with greater urgency and changed the contest within the opening nine minutes of the second period. Lalremruatfela created the first goal in the 23rd minute, beating his marker on the left before sending a low cross into the box for Lalawmpuia to finish first time.
Two minutes later, Lalawmpuia struck again. Surrounded by defenders inside the box, he created enough space to shoot, and although Leach got a hand to the effort, the ball crossed the line to bring India level at 2-2.
The comeback was completed in the 29th minute. Nibas delivered an early cross from the right and Lalremruatfela showed composure inside the area, taking a touch before waiting for the defenders to commit and finishing from close range to give India the lead for the first time.
The Blue Colts continued to push forward after going ahead. Sarkar had an effort deflected narrowly wide, while Lalawmpuia went close to completing his hat-trick after being set up by Lalremruatfela. India, however, managed the closing stages well and held on to secure a 3-2 victory.
The win was India’s first in the tournament stage and kept them in contention for a higher finish in the lower bracket. They will now face Afghanistan, who beat Namibia 6-2, in the quarter-final for positions 81 to 88 at 13:00 IST on October 29.
