India U-15 beat Cameroon 2-1 in Baku to stay perfect in Group K at FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026
India U-15 defeated Cameroon 2-1 at the Hovsan Competition Complex Pitch 1B in Baku on Sunday, October 25, 2026, in the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival Azerbaijan 2026. An early own goal by Fareil Ngobo (1′) put India ahead, Muhammad Sohil Khan’s own goal levelled for Cameroon (20′), and R Lalremruatfela restored India’s lead with a 27th-minute strike; goalkeeper Jenit Ningthoujam also saved a penalty to help secure the win.
Rain affected play, but India capitalised almost immediately from a first-minute corner by Deepak Singh Arambam that produced confusion in the Cameroon box and resulted in Ngobo’s own goal. Cameroon pushed for control thereafter, forcing India into a series of one-on-one challenges and sliding tackles to protect their advantage. Bibiano Fernandes’ side remained compact defensively while probing on the counter. With the victory, India are the only team in Group K to have won both of their opening matches.
India threatened to extend their lead in the 14th minute after Deepak’s kick-in unsettled Cameroon again; goalkeeper Sunny-Hansel Ndeh failed to gather the ball and R Lalremruatfela was denied by a last-ditch block. Jenit then made three crucial saves in quick succession: an excellent stop to repel a free-kick in the 16th minute, a denial of Randy Ngome’s first-time effort in the 17th, and a one-on-one save against Ndam Moctar in the 18th. Deepak forced a near miss himself when he struck the side netting from the edge of the box in the 19th minute.
Cameroon levelled at the stroke of half-time when Moctar’s cross from the right struck Muhammad Sohil Khan and deflected into the net for an own goal in the 20th minute. India made a single change at the interval, bringing on Ronandev Aheibam to bolster midfield presence for the second half.
The substitute’s impact was immediate: Ronandev won possession with a strong tackle in the 27th minute and fed Deepak, whose low cross found Lalremruatfela; the captain composedly steered a first-time left-footed finish into the bottom corner to put India back in front. Cameroon were awarded a penalty in the 31st minute after Nara Meitei Loushambam handled a shot from outside the box, but Jenit saved Harouna Abdoulaye’s spot-kick in the 32nd minute to preserve India’s lead.
India maintained the initiative late in the match, testing Ndeh with a fierce strike from Ronandev in the 33rd minute and winning a free-kick that Soumojit Sarkar delivered over the bar and was tipped wide two minutes later. The Blue Colts held their shape in the closing stages and saw out the final minutes to claim a second successive victory in the group. Elsewhere in Group K, Laos drew 1-1 with Bahrain and Senegal defeated Grenada 6-1.
India will face Grenada later on Sunday at 17:15 IST, before concluding the qualification stage against Bahrain and Senegal on October 26; their results across the five matches will determine which performance tier they enter for the second phase. All matches are streamed live for free on DAZN’s official website.
