AFC Under-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers: Gangte hat-trick powers India to 4-2 win over Singapore

Gangte’s hat-trick was vital in India edging past Singapore. | Photo Credit: AIFF

Dallalmoun Gangte struck a hat-trick as the India Under-17 men’s team trounced Singapore 4-2 to get its Group E campaign off to a rousing start in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Malaysia on Wednesday.

Singapore took the lead through Izzan Farid in the 27th minute. But India equalised two minutes later through Gangte, who also made it 2-1 from the penalty spot in the 61st minute. Farid headed home his second in the 65th minute to get Singapore level. But Gangte completed his hat-trick in the 82nd minute before substitute Ristik Maity provided insurance cover in the 88th minute and completed the scoreline.

It was an error in defence, centre-back Leo Thongbam delaying his clearance, that allowed Singapore striker Farid to snatch the ball and place it home from close to put Singapore ahead.

The Blue Colts delivered a swift response as Sailex Oinam chipped a pass into the box which Gangte controlled, turned past his marker and slammed a left-footer low inside the near post. The captain almost produced a repeat effort five minutes before half-time, but his shot went past the left post after Kamgouhao Doungel had found him free inside the box.

Lawmsangzuala, Doungel and Mukundo Singh Ningthoujam combined well to exert pressure with some well-coordinated moves. The trio of Sailex, Gangte and the speedy Mohammed Sahir Ali also kept the attack going and gave the Singapore defence anxious moments.

Singapore tried to force itself into the game with long passes, but the Indian defence soaked up all that was thrown at it.

As the game neared the hour mark, Doungel squared into the box from the left for Hrishikesh Charan Manavathi, who was brought down by Leo Chin Hee Caled. Referee Dan Ning of China pointed to the spot, and Gangte sent his right footer crashing into the net.

Singapore forced the equaliser in the 65th. Saw Tian Zhi floated his corner from the right into the box, and Farid headed home undisturbed to bring his side back into the game.

Attacking without losing composure, India made it 3-2 with substitute David Mangang Irom selling a dummy, swerving right and firing away a stiff right-footer. Goalkeeper Ilhan Rezal patted it back, but only as far as Gangte, who rammed it home to give India the lead once again in the 83rd minute.

The Indian defence had to soak up pressure for a few minutes before it could close the door on Singapore. David took from fellow substitute Raj Singh Wahengbam and sent Gangte through. The Singapore goalkeeper blocked the Indian captain’s grounded effort. As the ball ran loose, substitute Ristik Maity filled the empty net to push India onto safer shores.

India will next take on bottom-placed Guam on November 14, before facing group leader Palestine on November 17 and host Malaysia on November 20.