India U-17 Fight Back to Hold Myanmar 1-1 in First Friendly

India’s U-17 men’s team showed character to recover from a late first-half setback and draw 1-1 with Myanmar in the opening international friendly at the StarCity Sports Club in Thanlyin on Sunday.

The result was shaped by two very different halves. Myanmar went into the interval with a narrow lead after Aung Myat Thar struck in the 42nd minute, but India gradually took control after the restart. Captain Dallalmuon Gangte eventually restored parity from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute.

For India head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo, the game offered a useful test against a Myanmar side that had qualified for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup earlier in 2026. The two matches in Thanlyin form part of India’s preparation for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027 Qualifiers, which will be played in Malaysia from November 11 to 20.

Both teams began with plenty of attacking intent, but India looked capable of controlling the early exchanges. Myanmar, however, found the breakthrough just before half-time.

Aung Myat Thar made a dangerous run from the top of the Indian penalty area before getting another opportunity after his initial effort was blocked by Abhishek Kumar Mondal. The loose ball fell back into his path and the Myanmar forward made no mistake with his second attempt. His low right-footed effort squeezed through the legs of Indian goalkeeper Maroof Shafi to put the hosts 1-0 ahead.

The goal came despite Shafi having been one of India's more assured players until that point. He had commanded his penalty area well and largely prevented Myanmar's forwards from establishing a sustained presence inside the box. Myanmar had managed a couple of attempts that went close to the crossbar, but India had otherwise kept the hosts from creating significant danger.

The Blue Colts almost responded immediately. Just a minute after conceding, Hrishikesh Charan Manavathi rose above the Myanmar defense to meet a lob from Maldino Singh Yumnam. His header was directed towards the center of the goal, but Myanmar goalkeeper Wai Yan Htet reacted sharply to turn the effort over the bar.

India, therefore, went into half-time behind despite having created opportunities of their own.

Gangte Changes the Rhythm

The second half brought a clear shift in India's approach. The Blue Colts increased the tempo and began pushing Myanmar deeper into their own half. The hosts responded by adopting a more defensive shape, attempting to protect their one-goal advantage. That made India's midfield control increasingly important. Captain Gangte emerged as the central figure in the comeback. He dictated the pace, moved the ball towards both flanks and repeatedly attempted to open gaps in Myanmar's defensive block.

With Lawmsangzuala and Kamgouhao Doungel supporting the attacks, India began creating a succession of promising situations. Gangte himself came close on more than one occasion, but Myanmar's defence managed to block his attempts. The pressure eventually produced the decisive moment.

In the 72nd minute, Gangte drove into the Myanmar penalty area from the left and was brought down by Htoo Lwin Han. The referee awarded India a penalty, giving the captain an opportunity to erase the deficit he had spent much of the second half trying to overcome. Gangte stepped up and struck the ball firmly towards the right of substitute goalkeeper Shin Thant Htoo.

The goalkeeper could not reach it. India was level at 1-1. The equalizer was a reward for the pressure India had applied since the restart and reflected the increasingly aggressive approach adopted by Wadoo's side.

Myanmar was forced to defend deeper as India searched for a winner.

The final stages belonged largely to India. The Blue Colts continued to attack after restoring parity, but Myanmar's defensive organization held firm. The hosts resisted the sustained pressure and protected the draw despite India's attempts to find a second goal. For Wadoo, the comeback will have been encouraging, particularly given the manner in which the team responded after conceding just before half-time.

India did not allow the setback to dictate the second half. Instead, the team increased its attacking intensity, used the width more effectively, and relied on Gangte's influence in midfield to keep Myanmar under pressure. The 1-1 scoreline, however, also highlighted an area for improvement: India created enough momentum after the break to potentially win the game but could not convert that superiority into a second goal.

The two teams will meet again in the second friendly at the same venue on Wednesday, October 7. The fixtures are particularly valuable for India because the U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers are approaching. India has been drawn in Group E alongside hosts Malaysia, Palestine, Singapore, and Guam, with the qualification tournament scheduled for November.

The first meeting therefore provided Wadoo with both encouragement and information. India showed the ability to recover from adversity and impose pressure after falling behind. The next step will be turning that pressure into goals.

Against Myanmar, Gangte's penalty was enough to rescue a point. In the second friendly, the Blue Colts will be looking to go one step further.