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India’s U15 men’s team beat Cameroon 2-1 in Baku on Sunday, October 25, to make it two victories from two matches in Group K at the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival Azerbaijan 2026. An early own goal put the Blue Colts ahead, Cameroon drew level before the break through another own goal, and captain R Lalremruatfela scored the decisive goal in the 27th minute. Goalkeeper Jenit Ningthoujam then helped protect the lead, including by saving a penalty.
The result followed India’s 4-2 win over Laos in their opening fixture on October 24. Under head coach Bibiano Fernandes, the team made a positive start to a compressed qualification schedule in which each side plays five group matches over three days.
India made an immediate impact despite rainy conditions at Hovsan Competition Complex Pitch 1B. Deepak Singh Arambam’s corner in the first minute caused confusion in the Cameroon penalty area, and defender Fareil Ngobo’s attempted headed clearance went into his own net to give India the lead.
Cameroon gradually found more attacking opportunities as the first half progressed. Jenit made several important interventions, including a save from a free-kick in the 16th minute and stops against Randy Ngome and Ndam Moctar. India also threatened at the other end, with Deepak sending an effort into the side netting in the 19th minute.
Cameroon equalised in the 20th minute when Moctar’s cross from the right struck India’s Muhammad Sohil Khan and deflected into the goal. The sides went into the interval level, leaving India needing another response in the second half.
India introduced Ronandev Aheibam at half-time, and the substitute contributed to the move that produced the winner. In the 27th minute, Ronandev won possession with a strong challenge in midfield and played the ball wide to Deepak. His low delivery found Lalremruatfela, who finished first time with his left foot into the bottom corner.
The goal restored India’s lead, but Cameroon continued to test the defence. In the 31st minute, the referee awarded Cameroon a penalty after Nara Meitei Loushambam handled a shot from outside the box. Harouna Abdoulaye took the spot-kick, but Jenit saved it in the 32nd minute to keep India in front.
India remained a threat in the closing stages. Ronandev tested Cameroon goalkeeper Sunny-Hansel Ndeh with a powerful effort from the right side of the box, while Ndeh later tipped Soumojit Sarkar’s free-kick over the crossbar. The Blue Colts managed the final minutes and secured the 2-1 result.
India began the tournament with a 4-2 victory over Laos on October 24. Captain Macdonnish Ngairangbam and Lalremruatfela gave India an early two-goal advantage in that match, before Laos came back to level the score. Lalremruatfela and Soumojit Sarkar then scored late goals to secure the win.
The format differs from conventional youth football: matches are played eight-a-side, with two 20-minute halves and rolling substitutions. India’s qualification group includes Bahrain, Cameroon, Grenada, Laos and Senegal, and results across the five fixtures determine which performance tier each team enters for the next phase.
Following the Cameroon match, India were scheduled to face Grenada later on October 25 at 17:15 IST. The qualification stage continues on October 26, when India are due to play Bahrain and Senegal. Those fixtures will test the squad’s ability to maintain its momentum through a demanding sequence of games.
The win offers a useful measure of India’s resilience: the team recovered after conceding an own goal and then defended its advantage under pressure. Lalremruatfela’s finishing and Jenit’s penalty save were decisive moments, while Ronandev’s impact after coming on showed the value of contributions from the bench in a short-format tournament.
For Indian youth football, consecutive wins provide a strong platform in a competition designed to keep every participating team playing through the qualification phase. India’s next matches will determine its tier placement, so the focus now shifts to recovery, squad rotation and carrying the same composure into the remaining group fixtures.
