New Delhi: Partners in crime Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua’s second half goals complimented with an own goal by Sri Lankan defender Bandara Warakagoda helped India register a 3-0 victory over Sri Lanka and book a semi final berth in the last group A league matchup of the SAFF Championship played here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Wednesday. India who finished with seven points however could not finish on top as Afghanistan pipped the men in blues by virtue of goal difference.
India, who just needed a draw the match in order to march into the semis, never showed any intent of playing for a draw and should have sealed the fate in the first half itself had they materialized on the chances created.
India got as many as four free-kicks, but failed to capitalize. Sri Lanka who made some nice run on the counter attack had a chance at the cherry in the 30th minute when Mi Mohamed Zain’s shot was stopped by Indian Custodian Karanjit Singh.
After the change of ends, India started from where they left and drew the first blood in the 50th minute when Chettri’s shot rebounded off Sri Lanka’s Goalkeeper Sujan Perera and Jeje cashing on in the opportunity fired in a right footer to give India the lead.
India looked upped the ante furthermore, but could not make any inroads due to lack of good finishing up in front.
Chhetri, who was amidst all the action from the beginning got his fourth goal of the tournament when his brilliant flying header off a free kick from last match’s hero Clifford Miranda caught the Lankan custodian unaware.
Pushed to the wall and their chances of making it to the last four of the tournament virtually over, Sri Lanka tried to put up some fight, but eventually ended up adding to their own misery as Bandara who tried to clear a shot from Sushil Singh slashed past his own net in the injury time of the match.
Speaking on Wednesday’s performance, Coach Savio Madeira said: “We had many chances but it’s up to the players to learn from their mistakes. Practically it’s not possible to perform the same way every day when there is a match on every alternate day.”
Samikshan Dutta Choudhury
Indian Sports News