10 Oct. 2021 (Male’) – India registered their first win of the SAFF Championship 2021 following their hard-fought 1-0 win over Nepal.
Sunil Chettri broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute when he connected Farukh Choudhary’s header inside the penalty box. Unmarked Chettri, who had several of attempts denied by Nepalese custodian Kiran Kumar Limbu until then, escaped his marker to volley home for India from close range.
India now have five points from three matches and will face host Maldives on their last outing on Wednesday. Nepal still lead the table with six points from three matches, while Maldives are also on six points but the head-to-head rule sends the home team second in the standings.
Nepal appeared different as compared to their previous matches opting to defend rather than go out all guns blazing against India who were desperate for their first win in the championship.
After two frustrating draw against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, India came into the match desperate for their first three points. They played accordingly dominating the ball possession but were unable to find the target despite several attempts. Sunil Chettri came close to scoring on different occasions but Kiran Kumar Limbu guarded his boundaries well to keep India at bay.
“Obviously I am very happy with the three points today which is keeping us till the very end of the competition. I am very happy and grateful to how the boys have responded today. Once again it was proved that scoring is a point where we need to improve otherwise you are going to suffer until the end,” said India coach Igor Stimac.
Nepal coach Abdullah Almutairi, meanwhile, requested the Nepalese media not to put any blame on the players and took the responsibility for the defeat.
“The payers gave everything. I lost the game, not the players. They have fought for the country. If you have to criticize, write about me,” said Almutairi, adding,”We are still in the competition. If we win against Bangladesh we will qualify. No match in this competition is easy.”