Lalremruatfela Leads India to 4-2 Victory Against Laos

Lalremruatfela was at the centre of India's 4-2 win over Laos in the opening match of the first FIFA U-15 Football World Cup, held in Azerbaijan. The Group K fixture took place at the Hovsan Competition Complex in Baku on Saturday.

India's campaign got off to a flying start. Captain Machdonish Ngairangbam opened the scoring in the seventh minute, and Lalremruatfela added a second in the 11th minute.

Laos fought back, with Anavin Japyasone reducing the deficit in the 12th minute. Saksavanh Silisseng then equalised in the 24th minute, just after the break in play.

Lalremruatfela proved decisive once again. He scored his second goal of the match in the 31st minute, giving India the lead again. Two minutes later, Soumojit Sarkar produced a long-range goal in the 33rd minute to make the score 4-2.

The victory earned India their first three points in the tournament. The event features 189 national teams organised into 32 groups, and matches are played in an eight-a-side format with two 20-minute halves. Rolling substitutions are allowed throughout.

India's attacking start included two chances in the first four minutes. Deepak Singh Arambam hit a strong left-footed shot from inside the box in the third minute, but it was saved by Laos goalkeeper Anousith Saksavanh. The keeper also stopped Machdonish's effort a minute later.

In the seventh minute, Deepak dribbled into the small box and passed back to Machdonish, who scored with a simple finish.

India's pressure brought a second goal in the 11th minute. After Deepak won the ball from a Laos clearance, Lalremruatfela took a touch and drove a left-footed shot into the net.

Laos replied almost immediately. Japyasone's long-range strike in the 12th minute beat Indian goalkeeper Jenith Ningthoujam, who had no chance to react.

The game lost some of its pace after the early goals. Neither team created a clear opening in the final minutes of the first half.

India came out aggressively after the break. Machdonish's header from a corner in the 21st minute narrowly missed. Laos drew level three minutes later with a straight strike from outside the box.

India then dominated the match and spent most of the remaining time in the Laos half. Lalremruatfela's goal in the 31st minute, set up by a pass from Sarkar, restored the lead. Sarkar's strike from the halfway line in the 33rd minute made the result safe.

India's next match is against Cameroon on Sunday. Later that day, they play Grenada.