Sunil Chhetri-led India reach the final of SAFF Championship with an emphatic 3-1 win over Maldives in their last group stage game. Chhetri scored twice in the second half to become the joint sixth-highest goal-scorer in international football. With 79 goals, Chhetri equalled Zambia’s Godfrey Chitalu’s tally of goals on the international stage.
Apart from the skipper, Manvir Singh scored the first goal of the match. Receiving the ball from the right wing, Manvir had a very narrow angle to aim at but he managed to beat the goalkeeper finding the top corner.
Maldives’ Ali Ashfaq scored the equaliser in the 45th minute via penalty. In the second half, Chhetri scored from close range after Apuia’s cross and assist from Manvir. The 37-year-old extended the lead in the 71th minute with a loopy header over the keeper and into the top corner.
There were multiple untimed challenges in the game as there were a total of 20 fouls committed by India compared to Maldives’ 15. Three of Indian players were shown the yellow card whereas in the extra time Subhasish was shown the red card meaning he would not be available for the final on October 16.
India had a total of four shots on target out of 17 attempted. At 56 per cent, they dominated the possession and had over 300 completed passes.
On October 16, India will take on Nepal at the same venue to win the tournament for the eighth time.
