Indian football team registered a comprehensive 3-0 win over Nepal in the final match of the SAFF Championship. Played af Maldives National Football Stadium, Sunil Chhetri-led side breached the defence of Nepal with back-to-back goals and a final last-minute goal from Sahal Abdul Samad sealed their eighth SAFF Championship title.
There were no goals scored in the first half. India broke the deadlock in the 49th minute when captain Chettri scored the 80th international goal of his career. It was soon followed by a second goal from Suresh Singh Wangjam in the 50th minute to double the lead. Samad too got his name in the goal-scorers list with a goal in the 91st minute to extend the lead.
Nepal attackers tried their best to break the Indian wall but all their attempts were failed by the solid Indian defence. Nepal could not manage a single corner in the game compared to eight corners earned by India. Out of six shots taken by them, only one shot from Nepal was on target. It was a dominant performance from the Indian team as they recorded 65 percent possession in the game. There were plenty of fouls from both sides resulting in two yellow cards for India and one for Nepal.
Two goals in two minutes
With a goalless first half, India walked into the field in the second half with different energy. The captain leading from the front nodded a textbook header into the net when right back Priam Kotal gave a perfect cross to him. India doubled their lead in the very next minute when midfielder Yasir cut it back for Suresh allowing him to find the back of the net. This goal gave India a upper hand throughout the game with Nepal not just searching for a breakthrough but possession as well. The final nail in the coffin was hammered by Samad who scored the third and final goal in the 91st minute.
Chhetri equalises Messi’s record
In the last match against Maldives, Chhetri broke the record of the Brazilian legendary footballer Pele’s 77 international goals. He scored two goals in that game and reached a tally of 79 goals. In the final against Nepal, Chhetri was able to score one goal and equalled the record of Argentine footballing maestro Lionel Messi who has 80 goals. Both the players stand at number five in the list of all-time highest international goal-scorers.
