The Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh, was buzzing with excitement as India defeated Sri Lanka 8-0 in their opening match of the SAFF U19 Championship 2025. Among the enthusiastic fans was Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Pema Khandu. Midfielder Danny Meitei Laishram stole the show, scoring a hat-trick and becoming an instant favorite with the local crowd.
Meitei's achievement is particularly significant as hat-tricks are rare, especially in international football. The India number 17 was swarmed by fans post-match requesting selfies, autographs, his jersey, Instagram account details, and even his phone number. The 17-year-old happily took selfies, clutching the match ball, a memento earned almost four years after his debut in youth international football.
"It was amazing to score my first international hat-trick. I would like to thank my coaching staff and teammates for helping me," Danny said. He expressed his gratitude for the team's victory and his hope to maintain his performance. Danny dedicated his hat-trick to his family, sharing that his parents watched the game from home and were overjoyed.
India's dominant performance was evident from the start, with Prashan Jajo opening the scoring in the 17th minute. Jajo's goal was a result of his pace and precision, beating his marker and scoring from a tight angle. Nine minutes later, a Sri Lankan backpass error allowed Omang Dodum to assist Danny with a well-timed header, making it 2-0. In the 31st minute, Danny scored again with a powerful left-footed shot from 21 yards, increasing India's lead to 3-0. Before halftime, Danny crossed into the box, Jajo headed the ball to Md Arbash, who scored easily, further solidifying India's advantage.
The second half saw the same energy as the first, with Omang Dodum scoring in the 48th minute. Danny completed his hat-trick shortly after, capitalizing on a defensive error to make the score 6-0. Jajo scored again in the 62nd minute, and captain Singamayum Shami added another goal in the 81st minute, sealing the 8-0 victory.
Danny's hat-trick included a header, a left-footed strike, and an interception inside the penalty box, showcasing his quality, presence of mind, and hunger. The win demonstrated India's intent to defend their SAFF U-19 Championship title.
