India Begins FIFA U-15 World Cup Campaign with a 4-2 Victory Over Laos

Baku, October 24 (Daily Kiran) : India kicked off its campaign in the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup with a resounding 4-2 victory against Laos. The match took place at the Hovsan Competition Complex in Baku, Azerbaijan, on October 24, 2026.

Captain McDonish Ngarangbam opened the scoring for India in the seventh minute, followed closely by R. Lalremruatafela, who netted a second goal just four minutes later. Laos responded with Anawin Japyasone scoring in the 12th minute, narrowing the gap. Shortly after halftime, Southeast Asia’s Laos leveled the score with a goal from Souksavanh Siliseng in the 24th minute.

However, India quickly regained control of the match. Lalremruatafela scored again in the 31st minute, followed by a long-range goal from Soumojit Sarkar just two minutes later, solidifying India’s lead. This victory earned India its first three points in the tournament, which features 189 national teams divided into 32 groups. Matches are played in an “eight-player” format, with two halves of 20 minutes each and rolling substitutions allowed.

India started strong, creating two chances within the first four minutes. In the third minute, Deepak Singh Arambam unleashed a powerful left-footed shot from inside the box, which was saved by Laos goalkeeper Anousith Souksavanh. Just a minute later, the keeper thwarted another effort from McDonish. In the seventh minute, Deepak showcased his excellent footwork, maneuvering the ball into the small box before passing it back to McDonish, who easily converted the chance.

India doubled its lead in the 11th minute when Deepak intercepted a clearance attempt from Laos. The ball reached R. Lalremruatafela, who took a touch and struck a powerful shot with his left foot to score. Laos quickly responded, with Anawin Japyasone finding the net in the 12th minute, catching Indian goalkeeper Jenit Ningthoujam off guard.

Following a flurry of early goals, the pace of the game slowed, with neither team creating clear chances in the final five minutes before halftime. After the break, India resumed its pressure. In the 21st minute, McDonish’s header from a corner kick just missed the target. Nevertheless, Laos equalized in the 24th minute when Souksavanh Siliseng scored with a direct shot from outside the box.

In response to the equalizer, India intensified its attacking efforts, dominating possession in Laos’s half. In the 31st minute, India regained the lead when R. Lalremruatafela received a pass from Soumojit Sarkar and struck a left-footed shot from outside the box into the far corner of the net, making it 3-2.

India extended its lead in the 33rd minute, with Sarkar scoring from just inside the halfway line, sending the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net. The Indian youth team managed the remainder of the match effectively, maintaining their two-goal advantage and securing all three points. India’s next match is scheduled against Cameroon on Sunday, followed by a clash with Grenada later that day.