FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival: India begins campaign with 4-2 win over Laos

India will next face Cameroon and Grenada on Sunday. | Photo Credit: AIFF media

India began its FIFA Under-15 World Cup campaign with a 4-2 win over Laos in Azerbaijan on Saturday.

Bibiano Fernandes’ Blue Colts made a bright start on Saturday morning and created two chances in the opening four minutes. A powerful left-footed effort from inside the box by Deepak Singh Arambam was pushed away by the Laos goalkeeper Anousith Souksavanh in the third minute, before Macdonnish was denied by the advancing custodian a minute later.

India took the lead in the seventh minute after brilliant footwork from Deepak, who worked his way into the small box before cutting the ball back for Macdonnish to tap home.

The pressure continued to pay off, with India doubling its advantage in the 11th minute. A Laos clearance was blocked by Deepak, and the ball fell to R Lalremruatfela, who took a touch before slamming home with his left boot.

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Laos responded almost immediately, pulling a goal back in the 12th minute through Anavin Xayyasone, whose long-range effort left India goalkeeper Jenit Ningthoujam rooted to the spot.

The tempo dropped following the early flurry of goals, with neither side creating a clear-cut opportunity before the five-minute half-time break.

Winning start for the #BlueColts in Baku! 🤩🇮🇳 #LAOIND #IndianFootball https://t.co/oAsTI69bf5

— Indian Football (@IndianFootball) October 24, 2026

India threatened again after the restart, with a header from Macdonnish drifting inches wide following a corner in the 21st minute. Laos, however, drew level three minutes later when Souksavanh Siliseng struck first time from outside the box, finding the bottom corner.

The equaliser prompted India to raise its intensity, with much of the play taking place in the Laos half.

The Blue Colts regained the lead in the 31st minute, with R Lalremruatfela collecting a pass from Soumojit Sarkar before firing left-footed into the far corner from outside the box to make it 3-2.

India extended its advantage in the 33rd minute when Sarkar struck from just inside the halfway line, sending the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net.

The Blue Colts managed the remainder of the match well to preserve their two-goal advantage and secure all three points.