Benin’s schoolboys secure knockout-stage qualification after a record-breaking attacking display in China.
Benin’s Under-18 school football team produced a remarkable attacking performance, defeating India ISSO 2 by 27–0 at the U18 School Football World Cup in Suzhou, China, on October 20.
The emphatic Group B victory secured Benin’s place in the round of 16 and extended an impressive start to the tournament for the team coached by Séverin Danha. The result followed a 7–0 win over Qatar in their opening match, giving the West African side 34 goals scored and none conceded across their first two games. (Benin Web TV)
Benin dominate from the opening minutes
Benin maintained pressure throughout the 80-minute contest, repeatedly finding space in the Indian defence and converting their opportunities into goals.
John Ethan Hountinmé, François Adissa and Osvaldo Sèmèvo Loko each scored four times, while Izoudine Boukary added a hat-trick. Dona Silvanix Negui, Géovani Eclou and Abdoul Hadirou Hassim also contributed multiple goals, according to reports from Beninese sports media. Two own goals further increased the margin.
The scoreline highlighted the gap between the two school teams on the day. India ISSO 2 had also suffered a heavy defeat against China 2 in its opening fixture, losing 15–0.
Group qualification secured
The victory over India gave Benin six points from two matches and a goal difference of +34. With the top two teams in the group advancing to the knockout stage, qualification was assured before the final group fixture.
China 2 also collected six points after defeating Qatar 6–0, setting up a direct contest between the two leading sides for first place in Group B.
That match, played on October 21, ended in a 2–2 draw. Benin came from behind twice, with John Ethan Hountinmé equalising in the 53rd minute before Raphaël Fatonzoun scored in stoppage time. The result left both teams on seven points, but Benin finished top of the group with a superior goal difference of +34, compared with China 2’s +21. (Benin Web TV)
Focus turns to the knockout rounds
The group-stage results gave Benin a strong platform heading into the elimination phase. However, the 27–0 victory should be viewed in context: it was achieved against India ISSO 2, rather than necessarily representing the strength of India’s senior or national youth football teams.
The knockout rounds present a different challenge, where one defeat ends a team’s campaign. Before the tournament’s round of 16, Benin had demonstrated both scoring power and resilience, the latter particularly evident in the draw against China 2.
For the young Beninese players, the priority is now to carry that form into the decisive stages and continue their pursuit of a strong finish at the international school tournament.
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