One October 6, India made their FIFA World Cup bow against USA in the Under-17 World Cup.
On October 9, India scored their first ever goal in a football World Cup.
In the 82nd minute of the match against Colombia at the Jawaharlal Nehriu Stadium, New Delhi, Manipur’s Jeakson Singh created history as he rose the highest to head in Sanjeev Stalin’s corner. It was India’s first ever goal in the finals of a FIFA tournament.
The midfielder sent the whole stadium into a delirium as he scored a fine header to etch his name in the history books.
The hosts lost their second encounter of the group stage 1-2, but the game will always be remembered for the historic goal.
The 16-year-old midfielder, who is a product of Minerva Punjab FC Academy, said after the match that he is excited to have scored the goal, but would have loved to see India clinch the match.
“It was a nice experience and I felt on cloud nine when I scored the goal, however we tried our best but were unlucky. It is obviously a great feeling to score for my country in a FIFA World Cup but it would have been sweeter had we won the match,” Jeakson told AIFF.
India will take on Ghana in their final group stage match on October 12.
Feature image: AIFF