India blank Nepal 3-0, win SAAF Championship for 8th time, Chhetri equals Messi with 80 goals


PTI, Oct 17, 2021, 10:04 AM IST

India crushed Nepal 3-0 to win their eighth SAFF Championship title after second-half goals from Sunil Chhetri, Suresh Singh and Sahal Abdul Samad in the final here on Saturday.

Chhetri scored in the 49th minute of the match, which put him level with Lionel Messi on 80 international goals, while Suresh Singh doubled the lead in the 50th to pave the way for India’s title triumph, a much-needed after a series of mediocre outings.

Sahal Abdul Samad made it 3-0 when he dribbled past a few defenders in the 90th minute.

India dominated possession in the first half but failed to break the deadlock. However, Chhetri put India ahead minutes into the second half and even before Nepal could down settle down, Suresh made it 2-0.

Also Read | India seek eighth SAFF Championships title and first trophy under Stimac in final against sprightly Nepal

This is the Indian football team’s first title triumph under head coach Igor Stimac, who faced criticism in recent times for his side’s inability to win enough games.

However, when it mattered the most in this edition of the regional tournament, Stimac’s players delivered the results the team’s fans had been waiting for.

Stimac also became the third foreign coach after Jiri Pesek (1993) and Stephen Constantine (2015) to clinch the title with the Indian team.

Chhetri gave India the lead after he charged in to neatly head in delivery from Pritam Kotal on the right flank, leaving the Nepalese goalkeeper with no chance to come to his team’s rescue.

Barely a minute after Chhetri’s opener, another attack by India caught Nepal completely off-guard as Suresh found the back of the net after Yasir Mohammad brilliantly cut it back for the mid-fielder.

Their tails up after two quick strikes, India pressed hard for more but could not add to the tally.

There was a chance for Manvir Singh in the 52nd minute after he was played through, but his left-footed effort was blocked.

In the 79th minute, there was a great chance for Udanta Singh as he was in the clear to take a crack at the goal but Rohit Chand came up with a fine block to deny the Indian winger.

It remained goalless at the break as both India and Nepal could not capitalise on the chances that came their way.

India could have gone ahead minutes before the half-time but the ball that was delivered from the right flank for Chhetri was not met with properly as the Indian captain’s his effort went wide.

However, India more than made up for that with their second-half display, much to Stimac’s delight.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Salman Khan gets another threat; message sent to Mumbai traffic police helpline

SC overrules 1967 verdict holding AMU can’t be minority institution

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, editors of Kannada news portals booked for allegedly spreading fake news

Egg distribution scheme for school children under scrutiny over alleged mismanagement

India Post M’luru division to offer doorstep service to pensioners for Jeevan Praman certificate

Cong asks PM Modi why Gujarat’s white onion farmers given preferential treatment

Kharge slams Fadnavis, says people of Maharashtra will give a befitting reply to BJP

Related Articles More

ICC pitch ratings: Chepauk deemed ‘very good’, Kanpur outfield ‘unsatisfactory’

Ranji Trophy: Shreyas Iyer’s majestic 233 puts Mumbai in complete command against Odisha

Wright was ideal India coach, he gave players free-hand unlike Chappell, Kumble: Sandeep Patil

Chennai Grand Masters: Arjun holds Aronian to draw; Vaishali earns first points

Ben Stokes missing from IPL’s list of 1,574 players ahead of mega auction

MUST WATCH

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali

Ganapathi Co-operative Society Ltd

Udayavani Chinnara Banna 2024

Annapoorna Aahar | Food Places In Mysore


Latest Additions

Salman Khan gets another threat; message sent to Mumbai traffic police helpline

SC overrules 1967 verdict holding AMU can’t be minority institution

DK Child Protection Unit to conduct campaign to raise awareness of child trafficking

Kambala: Tradition and modernity in coastal Karnataka

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, editors of Kannada news portals booked for allegedly spreading fake news

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.