Manglenthang Kipgen’s Last-Minute Goal Sends India to SAFF U20 Semi-Finals
On Friday, August 23, 2024, the crowd at the ANFA Complex in Kathmandu, Nepal, eagerly awaited a goal in the football match. Their patience was rewarded in the 95th minute when substitute Manglenthang Kipgen scored a brilliant left-footed goal, securing a 1-0 victory for India against the Maldives. This win sent India into the semi-finals of the SAFF U20 Championship 2024 with an all-win record in the group.
Just a year ago, Kipgen was not a regular starter in the SAFF U19 Championships, playing only 82 minutes in the entire tournament. Despite limited game time, he made a significant impact by scoring two goals in the final, leading India to a 3-0 victory against Pakistan and earning the title of Most Valuable Player.
Even now, the 19-year-old Kipgen, from Zalenphai village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, often finds himself on the bench. However, his determination remains strong. “I just want to play. Every time I see that I’m not in the starting XI, it just makes me more hungry to perform and make it there,” said Kipgen. “It’s never about getting awards like the MVP.”
As a child, Kipgen dreamed of becoming an IAS officer, a dream shared by his family. However, his passion for football took over. “My parents wanted me to be an IAS officer, and I also had that dream, but when I got a little older, I started playing football, and after a point, that was all I wanted to do,” he laughed.
India will face Bangladesh in the semi-final on Monday at the ANFA Complex, with the match starting at 2.45 pm IST. The game will be streamed live on the Sportzworkz YouTube channel.
Doubts Revealed
Manglenthang Kipgen -: Manglenthang Kipgen is a young football player from India who scored an important goal in a football match.
SAFF U20 -: SAFF U20 stands for South Asian Football Federation Under-20 Championship, a football tournament for players under 20 years old from South Asian countries.
Maldives -: The Maldives is a small island country in the Indian Ocean, known for its beautiful beaches and resorts.
Manipur -: Manipur is a state in northeastern India, known for its rich culture and sports talents.
semi-finals -: Semi-finals are the matches that decide which teams will play in the final match of a tournament.
Sportzworkz YouTube channel -: Sportzworkz YouTube channel is an online platform where you can watch sports events live.
