With a whimper as masterful Ghana floor India

GULF IN CLASS West African team tops group A after leaving hosts dazed with speed and power answer to Ghana’s pacy attacks past the Indian full-backs with was clear from the fact that and the big defeat meant the ease and although Eric Ayiah did they had four shots on target hosts’ run at the FIFA U-17 World not look in good touch, the gap in while India struggled to even Cup ended with a whimper. quality between the teams was reach the opposition’s final third.

Before their last Group A apparent. The Indian defence was The second half was no different game, the Indian players breached in the sixth minute as the hosts looked clueless impressed everyone with their when Ayiah found the net with a against the pace of Ghana and the determination on the pitch and tap-in but the hosts were saved by Africans did not take much time the crowd had the same expectations. offside flag. Ghana did not lose to find their second goal. It was But twice winners Ghana focus and within the next 10 minutes, striker Eric Ayiah who received were far too superior, and sadly Ibrahim Sulley and Issac a measured pass from Edmund for the New Delhi crowd, there Gyamfi came close to scoring. Arko-Mensah and a controlled was no miracle at the end of 90 The deadlock was finally broken left-footed finish doubled his minutes as India’s journey in in the 43rd minute when Eric tally. The misery did not stop their first FIFA World Cup of any Ayiah found the net. The Ghana there as India struggled to retain kind ended. skipper capitalised on a lucky possession beyond 3-4 passes and

“Ghana were the strongest rebound and his close range Ghana substitutes — Richard team in our group and today, effort gave no chance to the Danso and Emmanuel Toku scored their full-backs and wingers were keeper Dheeraj. Ghana led only late to hand the hosts their brilliant. The difference between 1-0 at the interval, but their dominance biggest loss of the tournament.

I am very proud of how the players performed in the tournament and they have learnt a lot from the three matches.

The atmosphere at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Thursday was no less vibrant than the last two India matches in the FIFA U-17 World Cup. The 52,000-strong crowd was behind the hosts for the entire game and every move was met with thunderous cheers.

However, the only thing missing was the fighting spirit that had become the trademark of the Indian football team in the FIFA U-17 World Cup as the hosts were brushed aside 4-0 by Group A toppers Ghana.

Amarjit Singh and Co had no the two teams was too big. Although we were able to provide some fightback, we were outplayed in the second half,” India coach Luis Norton de Matos said.

The hosts were outplayed from the first minute. The two Ghanaian wingers -- Sadiq Ibrahim and Edmund Arko Mensah -- dribbled