New Delhi: It was a different ball game altogether and the defending champions India rose to the occasion as they defeated the last edition’s runners up Maldives 3-1 in the first semi finals here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to make it to the finals of the SAFF Championships for record seventh time. And who else could do it for the men in blue, apart from Sunil Chhetri who fired in a brace for the second time in tournament including a spot kick.
India was a different team right from initial moments on the match and looked like a team on mission and should have scored in the second minute of the match, but Jeje missed a sitter when his shot at the empty net off a Clifford Miranda’s cross from the left went over the bar. The miss somewhat made the hosts more vindictive and they kept on stretching the Maldives’ defence line.
India should have got one more chance to get onto the scorecard but the cookie could not crumble the Indian way this time as well, courtesy a great diving save to the left made by the Maldives’ custodian Imran Mohammed to block Jeje’s curling header at the far post.
But that hardly did make any difference to the spirited Indian side and they finally drew the first blood of the match when the left back Syed Nabi tapped in the ball off a cross from the Miranda from the right. Miranda was on fire in the match and was instrumental in feeding the striking pair of Jeje and Sunil and also made occasional strides towards the box. India kept up the ante and the star of the first half Nabi made some good moves on the left flank to keep the opposition’s defence on the toes.
After the change of ends, Maldives came on with a total different intent and looked much aggressive than in the first half. They had almost got the equalizer in the 48th minute when Ahmed Thariq headed in a ball at the far post but India’s goalkeeper Karanjit Singh brilliant save thwarted their efforts.
Indian defence which looked in great touch finally made a blunder when Ismail Mohammed was left unmarked and he cashed on in the opportunity to slot the ball past the nets with a 40 yard right footer shot.
As the match progressed, Maldives started to lose their cool and paid price for acting too violent on the pitch when Ibrahim Fazeel pulled down Nirmal to be showed the yellow card in the 65th minute. However they did not learn from their mistakes and three minutes later, Asad Abdul Ghani pulled down Sunil Chettri in the box. This foul cost them dear and India were awarded a penalty kick and Chhetri did not commit any mistakes as his right footer found the bottom of the right corner to take the lead.
India should have gone 3-1 up had Jewel Raja not missed an easy chance from the box. As the match entered the injury time, Indian striking duo of Chhetri and Jeje came into the act. Jeje who got the possession of the ball from the centre line made a nice run and cleverly passed to ball to Chhetri who slotted in home past the charging Imran Mohammed to put the last nail in the coffin. Maldives already paying price for their offensive behavior on the ground lost their cool and this time the culprit was Ahmed Thariq whose abusive language to the referee earned him the red card.
Samikshan Dutta Choudhury
Indian Sports News