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India produced a strong second-half comeback to defeat Trinidad and Tobago 3-2 in the Round of 16 of the lower bracket in Tier C at the FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival Azerbaijan 2026 at the Hovsan Competition Complex Pitch 8A in Baku on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
Trailing 0-2 at half-time after goals from Jaylon Carrington (6’) and Djoshua Cyrus (18’), the Blue Colts responded through a Victor Lalawmpuia brace (23’, 25’) before R Lalremruatfela (29’) completed the turnaround. India will now face Afghanistan, who defeated Namibia 6-2, in the quarter-finals for positions 81 to 88, at 13:00 IST tomorrow. All matches are streamed live on dazn.com.
India showed attacking intent from the opening minute. A long ball from Soumojit Sarkar found Lalremruatfela, whose cutback was cleared by the Trinidad and Tobago defence. The loose ball fell to C Lalhmingropuia, whose first-time effort was blocked on the goal line.
Lalhmingropuia sent another first-time effort over the bar from outside the box in the sixth minute. Trinidad and Tobago immediately went on the attack, with Carrington collecting a long ball, holding off the Indian defenders and firing a half-volley into the top corner to open the scoring.
Bibiano Fernandes’ boys continued to create opportunities. In the ninth minute, Lalawmpuia was unable to convert a cutback from the right, failing to adjust his feet quickly enough. Three minutes later, Sarkar delivered a cross from the right, which Lalawmpuia met with a header, only for the Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Malachi Leach to make an excellent save.
Sarkar then tested Leach with a powerful half-volley from inside the box. From the resulting corner, the ball was worked back to Sarkar outside the area, but his first-time effort narrowly missed the target.
Despite India’s pressure, Trinidad and Tobago doubled their lead in the 18th minute. Cyrus had the ball well outside the box and, turning onto his left foot, drove a low shot into the far corner. Jenit Ningthoujam stretched to reach it but could not keep the effort out despite his best efforts.
India came close to reducing the deficit almost immediately. Sarkar sent an early cross from the right, but Lalremruatfela dragged his effort wide at the far post, leaving the Blue Colts two goals behind at the interval.
India returned with greater urgency after the break, and their pressure soon produced a goal. In the 23rd minute, Lalremruatfela beat his marker on the left before sending a low cross into the box, where Lalawmpuia arrived to finish first time and halve the deficit.
Two minutes later, Lalawmpuia restored parity. Receiving the ball inside the box and surrounded by defenders, he turned to create room for a shot. Leach got a hand to the effort, but the ball bounced over the goal line to make it 2-2.
The comeback was completed in the 29th minute. Nibas Meetei Wahengbam delivered an early cross from the right, and Lalremruatfela showed composure inside the box, taking a touch to find space before allowing the defenders to commit and slotting home from close range.
The Blue Colts did not let their foot off the gas and continued to push forward in search of a fourth goal. Sarkar saw an effort from outside the box deflected narrowly wide in the 34th minute, while Lalawmpuia came close to completing his hat-trick two minutes later after being set up by Lalremruatfela, but dragged his shot wide.
India managed the closing stages calmly to preserve their lead and secure their first win in the tournament stage.
INDIA U15: Jenit Ningthoujam (GK), Nara Meitei Loushambam (C), Muhammad Sohil Khan, Soumojit Sarkar, R Lalremruatfela, Nibas Meetei Wahengbam, C Lalhmingropuia, Victor Lalawmpuia.
Substitutes: Dhannya Desai (GK), Pratham Kumar, Birjit Singh Amom, Macdonnish Ngairangbam, Ronandev Aheibam, Deepak Singh Arambam.
