India advanced for the semifinals from Group A with six points from two wins, along with Kuwait (also six points), who thrashed Pakistan 4-0 earlier in the day for their second victory.
Sunil Chhetri scored again as India defeated Nepal 2-0 in their second group encounter to get to the SAFF Championship semifinals on Saturday. Chhetri (61st minute) scored his fourth goal of the tournament before Mahesh Singh (70th minute) sealed the victory for the home team. In their first encounter, India defeated Pakistan 4-0 on Wednesday, with Chhetri scoring a hat-trick. Chhetri (91 goals in 139 appearances) has already surpassed Ali Daei of Iran as the second most prolific scorer among Asians, and third among active players worldwide. Among active Asian players, he is the most prolific goal scorer.
India advanced for the semifinals from Group A with six points from two wins, along with Kuwait (also six points), who thrashed Pakistan 4-0 earlier in the day for their second victory.
On June 27, India will face Kuwait to determine the group champion. Nepal and Pakistan are out of contention for a semifinal position after each team dropped two games.
Before India could break the impasse, they had to overcome a heavy resistance from Nepal. Only Chhetri, Anirudh Thapa, and Sahal Abdul Samad kept their spots in the starting 11 from the previous match against Pakistan, indicating that India was undergoing significant changes.
Nepal kept India at bay for the entire first half with excellent defence and swift counterattacks.
In the 21st minute, Sahal had the first clear chance of the game, but his header from a cross went just past of the goal post.
Nepal may have gone up 1-0 had Bimal Ghatri’s shot been a little quicker, however it was knocked away by Rohit Kumar close to the goal line in the 34th minute.
Mahesh Singh, who had made a fantastic run down the right wing, jinked a lovely cross to Sahal inside the box in the 41st minute, but the latter overran the ball and was unable to volley.
India played with greater energy and purpose in the second half, and the result arrived in the 61st minute.
Sahal and Mahesh played a quick one-two to go past the Nepalese defence before finding an unguarded Chhetri inside the box, and the forward just needed to beat custodian Kiran Limbu.
The goal energised the Indian players, and they continued their hunt for another, with Sahal excellently marshalling the midfield. In the second half, the Kerala native, along with Mahesh Singh, worked in India’s engine room.
The second goal was a testament to Sahal’s quickness and abilities. The midfielder broke through the centre and found Chhetri, but his effort was deflected off Limbu.
However, Mahesh Singh was perfectly placed to head the ball into the net in the 70th minute, giving India a 2-0 lead.
Despite a two-goal deficit, Nepal attempted a valiant comeback. However, India was able to keep the scoreline unchanged.
