India’s rising star Usham shines in SAFF opener

After the India U-16 Men’s Team edged past Bangladesh in their opening game of the SAFF U16 Championship, Thoungamba Usham Singh said on Sunday that the match was a memorable day for their team. India secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Bangladesh to open their SAFF U16 Championship campaign on Saturday at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan. “It was a very memorable day for us all. We had all played for our clubs domestically, but never have we operated at the international level in such a manner before. It was a different feeling to experience all the pre-match ceremonies, the anthems, and the photos. We were all in a bit of awe when these things were happening. But once the match started, it was all about the game,” said Usham said. Usham made a lung-bursting run all the way into the opposition box in the 74th minute and was rewarded for his efforts when a rebound off a Manbhakupar Malngiang shot fell to the former, with the goal gaping wide. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw the ball land at my feet. The goalkeeper had just made a save and he was in no position to save it, and all I had to do was to poke it in,” Usham said about his goal after the match. “It was not easy to be rejected at the trials again and again. I constantly had doubts about whether any academy would accept me. I even thought maybe I should just quit playing football seriously and focus on my studies,” Usham continued. Usham revealed that his parents who were active footballers themself, faced rejection from many clubs but they never asked their son to give up.