Football
SAFF Championship: India beats Nepal, qualifies for semi-finals - Highlights
Sunil Chhetri and Mahesh Naorem scored as India qualified for SAFF Championship semi-finals.
Mahesh Naorem vs Nepal (Image via AIFF)
India secured their place in the semi-finals of the tournament with one game still remaining in the group stages. Despite a lackluster performance in the first half, the Indian team exhibited remarkable determination in the second half to turn the game around.
The opening goal came through an excellent combination play between Mahesh Naorem and the team captain, Sunil Chhetri in the 61st minute. Naorem made a brilliant run down the left flank, delivering a precise ground ball to Chhetri, who calmly slotted it into the net. The duo continued to wreak havoc on the opposition defense, with Chhetri returning the favor for the second goal.
In the 69th minute Sahal unleashed a perfectly weighted through ball, splitting the defense, and finding Chhetri in a scoring position. However, Chhetri's shot sailed over the crossbar. Fortunately, the ball found its way back to Naorem, who made no mistake in converting the chance, ensuring India's victory and scoring his first goal for the nation.
Even in the absence of their Head Coach Igor Stimac on the sidelines, the team managed to emerge victorious and extended their incredible streak of keeping eighth clean sheets.
With one more match against Kuwait remaining in the group stages, India now sets their sights on the semi-finals.
As it happened:
Live Updates
- 24 Jun 2023 2:24 PM GMT
20' GURPREETTT!
What a save from GSS! Nepal gets a corner and they take it short, it's cleared from the box but falls to Sanish Shrestha. He takes a first time shot however GSS manages to punch it away.
- 24 Jun 2023 2:18 PM GMT
16' What a miss from Sahal!
Sahal could have opened the account for India. Lovely ball from Naorem Mahesh to Sahal who is unmarked in the box. However Sahal shoots it just wide.
- 24 Jun 2023 2:16 PM GMT
12' Thapa on the attack!
India keeps the possession, Mahesh Naorem wins the ball on the left and combines with Anirudh Thapa inside the box. Thapa tries to shoot but it is cleared and Nepal on a counter from there. Nikhil Poojary manages to avoid danger.
- 24 Jun 2023 2:11 PM GMT
5' Nepal is not an easy opponent!
Team India can be better of quality but the first five minutes clearly shows the intent from Nepal. Nepal are defending with all their might, attempting for every second ball and are not allowing India to build up their play properly. Nepal are not sitting back to defend, they have made at least three attempts on the attack.
- 24 Jun 2023 1:26 PM GMT
Here's how Team Nepal lines up!
Starting Lineup: Kiran Kumar Limbu, Ananta Tamang, Laken Limbu, Arik Bista, Bimal Gharti Magar, Ayush Ghalan, Anjan Bista, Devendra Tamang, Sanish Shrestha, Manish Dangi, Rohit Chand
Substitutes: Deep Karki, Simanta Thapa, Bimal Pandey, Mani Kumar Lama, Nishan Khadka, Aashish Chaudhary, Nabin Lama, Dipak Raj Singh Thakuri, Pujan Uparkoti, Awash Lamicchane, Nawayug Shrestha, Bishal Shrestha
