India salvaged some pride by drubbing Kuwait 3-0 in their last Group C match, their second consecutive win, in the AFC Under-19 Championships qualifiers at Arbil, Iraq.
Malsawmfela scored twice (45th, 60th) while skipper Jeje Lalpeklua (sixth minute) netted once for India, who led 2-0 at half time in an inconsequential match at Francouse Al Hareeri Stadium on Sunday.
The win saw India finish fourth with six points in their group, though they are already out of contention for the AFC Under-19 Championships final round next year.
Iraq and Saudi Arabia qualified from the six-team Group C, securing the first two spots respectively while Oman finished third.
India took an early 1-0 lead in the sixth minute when Jeje, moving upfront from the left flank, unleashed a right footer from the top of box which beat Kuwait goalkeeper and found the back of the net.
India doubled the lead just before the lemon break when a Milan Singh free kick from 30 yards was rebounded from Kuwait custodian Abdul and Malsawmfela made no mistake in tapping home.
Kuwait launched an offensive in the 47th minute from the right flank and the melee that followed did not create any problem for India as the ball was cleared by goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh.
India's prolific striker Malsawmfela scored his second goal in the 60th minute when he connected a Jeje pass.
Kuwait, who had drawn with hosts Iraq in their last game, made all-out attack in the last 15 minutes but Gurpreet rose to the occasion and foiled some Kuwaiti offensive moves.
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