SAFF Cup 2021: India vs Nepal Match Preview: Live Scores, Line-ups, updates, and more
The Indian football team take on Nepal in a must win game to stay in contest for the SAFF Cup. It a do or die situation for the Blue Tigers.
Their pride hurt, the streak of the Indian Football Team stay silent yet desperate to get back to a winning streak in the ongoing SAFF Championship. There's not much of an option either – simply because there are two matches left in the group stage, and both are must-win ones if India are to make the final.
"Nothing much has changed," Head Coach Igor Stimac maintained in the official pre-match press conference. "We are here, and we are still alive in the Championship. We are still here to win the tournament," he added.
Interestingly, the two teams had played two back-to-back International Friendlies in Kathmandu in the first week of September where India had won the second match 2-1, after having drawn the first.
"We know them very well and have played twice against them. It's an open game and if we play well, and do it right on the pitch, I am sure that we can win the game. There is no other option for us than to go out there and win it," Stimac stated.
Nepal are leading the points table at the moment on 6 points having won both their matches against Maldives and Sri Lanka. "They may have a different approach. They may calculate while playing against us. But we are not worried about them. We will go out to do our job from the first minute itself," the coach added.
The Blue Tigers had their practice session in the morning earlier today (October 9), and the news from the camp is that there are no injury concerns with all 23 players available for selection.
Midfielder Brandon Fernandes insisted that the team has "everything to play for."
Speaking at the official pre-match press conference, Brandon quipped: "We have had two disappointing results so far. Understandably, the mood was dull in the camp. But tomorrow we have everything to fight for. We are positive, and have prepared well for this game. Everyone is focussed in winning the match."
The match kick-offs today at 9:30pm and The Bridge's coverage begins of the match at 9:00pm. Keep following this space for more.
India win their first match in the SAFF Championship, courtesy a goal from Sunil Chhetri, who is also named the Man of the Match! India take on Maldives in their next encounter on the 13th of October.
Foul by Bishta on an Indian footballer! Tempers heating up! Chhetri calming down the players! Subhasish Bose shown a yellow card!
3 minutes added on to the second half by the fourth official!
Suman ran through the Indian defence and passed the ball but Ayush couldn't reach it!
Shot from Anjan Bishta blocked successfully by the Indian players!
Sahal Abdul Samad comes in place of Lalengmawia Ralte Apuia!
An excellent chance for Ayush to equalise for Nepal but he shoots wide!