As the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship is nearing the end of the knockout stages on the road to the finals, we are just a few matches away from reaching the final showdown. In the latest updates from the tournament, the defending champions India defeated their last editions finalists Nepal 2-0 on 24.06.2023 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru, India to advance into the semi-finals.
The match was a repeat of the finals from the 2021 edition where both these teams faced off, with India defeating Nepal to lift their record 8th SAFF Championship title. While Nepal did go into the match seeking redemption for the loss in the previous championship. The result however didn’t go their way as late goals from Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri and Mahesh Singh in the second half ensured victory for the Indian Tigers.
While both the teams tried to create opportunities to get the opening goal within the first half itself, both sides failed to open their account as the first half ended goalless.
It was finally in the 61st minute that the Indian team got their first goal that came from the boots of skipper Chhetri. It was a good move for India from the left flank, with Mahesh Singh finding Chhetri just outside the six-yard box. The skipper made no mistake there and pushed the ball into the nets with ease, thus registering his 91st international goal.
Mahesh Singh, after providing a sublime assist for Chhetri’s first goal, chipped in to score the second goal for his team in the 70th minute. Sunil Chhetri attempted to get the ball inside the box as he went for his second goal, but it was saved by the diving Nepalese goalkeeper. Singh intercepted the ball right in time after it richeted off the crossbar, jumping high to put it into the nets this time. At 71 minutes, India were now holding a comfortable 2-0 lead.
With this victory, India became the second team from Group A to advance into the semi-finals along with Kuwait, who are now assured of their semi-final berth following their thumping 4-0 victory over Pakistan in the afternoon’s match that took place at the same venue. The final Group A fixture will now see India taking on Kuwait four days later.
While both teams have sealed their spots in the semis, the result of the game will decide the final standings in the points table. India are currently second in the table at the moment on goal-difference. It would still be interesting to see which team comes out on top and heads into the semis with some moral advantage up their minds!
