In a historic day for Indian football, the Under-20 registered a victory over 6-time U20 World Cup champions Argentina in the COTIF Cup in Spain on Monday, 6 August.
Deepak Tangri (4th minute) and Anwar Ali (68′) were the stars for the Indian U-20 team last night as the Floyd Pinto-coached side scripted a historic result against the traditional giants, coached by 2006 World Cupper Lionel Scaloni and former mid-field star Pablo Aimar.
Tangri gave India a perfect start as he headed the ball at the back of the net from a corner taken by Ninthoiganba Meetei in the fourth minute.An error between the posts by Leonardo Diaz gave India the lead in only the fourth minute of the game. Argentina’s No. 1 flapped at a Deepak Tangri header from a corner kick into his own net.
Boosted by the early goal, India stepped up the attack and tried to create chances in the first half.
Suresh Singh Wangjam and Boris Singh Thangjam tried to feed Aniket Jadhav with the ball but on two occasions he was adjudged off-side as after the first half, India lead 1-0.
However, Anwar Ali ensured India doubled its lead in the 68th minute. The centre-back stepped up to smash a free-kick onto the post before it crept in past the goal line.
India’s goal was breached four minutes later when Alan Marinelli scored past Prabhsukhan Gill. But the Indian boys avoided further damage and held on resolutely till the end to script a famous win.