Meet Jeakson Singh - India's first ever goal-scorer in a FIFA World Cup

Jeakson's header, which will make even John Terry proud, brought India level at 1-1, but Colombian striker Juan Penaloza scored his second goal soon after re-start to seal the match at 2-1.

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New Delhi: Jeakson Singh got his name into football history books on Monday when he became the first-ever player from the country to score in a FIFA World Cup.

Jeakson's header, which will make even John Terry proud, brought India level at 1-1 in the 80th minute, but Colombian striker Juan Penaloza scored his second goal soon after re-start to seal the match at 2-1.

Idolising India legend Bhaichung Bhutia and Spaniard Sergio Busquets, Jeakson comes from the country's football hotbed Manipur. In fact, seven of the players in the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup squad are from that part of India.

The 16-year-old's favourite clubs are Bengaluru FC and Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Jeakson was brought into the Indian U-17 squad earlier this year. He also led Minerva FC to 1-0 win against India U-17 in a practice match.

A defensive midfielder, Jeakson's father Konthoujam Deben Singh suffered a stroke in 2015 and was forced to leave his job with the Manipur police.

His family makes ends meet with whatever little his mother makes by selling vegetables and travels 25 km from home for that.

Interestingly, Jeakson likes mixed martial arts and watching movies of John Abraham, who incidentally also owns the Indian Super League (ISL) club NorthEast United FC.