Men (Maldives): The talisman Sunil Chhetri matched the iconic Lionel Messi with the 80th international strike as India who inspired Nepal 3-0 for their eighth SaffF championship title here on Saturday.
India extended their dominance in the regional tournament thanks to a second half goal from Chhetri (49th minute), Suresh Singh (50th) and Sahal Abdul Samad (90).
With his strike, the 37-year-old Chhetri equalized Messi and became the second highest scorer in international football among active players.
Suresh Singh and Saha then added to the calculation and paved the way for the victory of the Indian title, which was very much needed after a series of mediocre roads.
Full-time ⌛️🏆🏆🏆🏆c.h.a.m.p.i.o.s.
🏆🏆🏆🏆🇮🇳 3-0 🇳🇵✍️ https://t.co/Krscpgs4nu#indnep ⚔️ # saffchampionship2021 …
https://t.co/WPWX0UJS1L- Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) 1634403184000Sahal makes it 3 -0 When he dribbled past some defenders after receiving the ball on the left side of the final whistle stroke.
India dominated ownership in the first half but failed to break the deadlock.
However, Chhetri puts India ahead of a few minutes to the second half and even before Nepal can calm down, Suresh made him 2-0.
This is the victory of the first title of the Indian football team under the head coach of Igor Stimac, who faced criticism in the last few times for the inability of his team to win enough games.
However, when it was important in the edition of the regional tournament, the Strac players sent the results of the team’s fans to wait.
The Saffal Championship as a player ✅Saff Championship as coach @ chetrisunil11 showed his appreciation for …
https://t.co/8Sourt0WMI- Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) 1634404079000Stimac also became a foreign coach after Jiri Peck (1993)) and Stephen Constantine (2015) to win the title with the Indian team.
Chhetri gave India the advantage after he accused the head neatly in the delivery of Pritam Kotal on the right side, leaving Nepal’s goalkeeper without the opportunity to come to the rescue of his team.
Almost a minute after the Chhetri opening, another attack by India arrested Nepal fully carelessly because Suresh found the back of the net after Yasir Mohammad brilliantly cutting it for midfielders.
Their tail after two fast attacks, India pressed harder for more but could not add to the calculation for a while before the Sahal found the back of the net with its solo effort.
🗣️ @sahal_samad: The third goal is a miracle by God 🙌 # Indnep ⚔️ # SaffchampionshipHip2021 🏆 #backtheblue 💙 …
https://t.co/q2yXNCM5BG- Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) 1634405509000 Before Sahal, there is an opportunity for Manvir Singh on The 52nd minute after he was played, but his leg business was blocked.
In the 79th minute, there was a great opportunity for Udanta Singh because he was clear to take a gap in the goal but Rohit Chand came with a good block to deny Indian winger.
Stay without a goal at rest because India and Nepal cannot take advantage of the opportunities that come.
India can ride minutes before half-time but the ball delivered from the right side for Chhetri did not meet correctly because of the Indian captain’s efforts widened.
However, India is more than made for it with their second round look, a lot of Stimac pleasure.
India enters the game with a psychological advantage compared to the Himalayan state as historical statistics or recently cleaned as stricac side to lift the title again.
After experiencing luxury things starting from their campaign, India ended the style against the first finalist.
The final is the 12th for India in 13 editions, showing the dominance of blue tigers in this regional tournament.