SAFF Championships: India beat Nepal 2-0 with goals from Sunil Chhetri and Mahesh, made it to the semi-finals
Skipper Sunil Chhetri’s strong performance helped India beat Nepal 2-0 to enter the SAFF Championship semi-finals. Sunil Chhetri scored his fourth goal of the tournament in the 61st minute. After this, Mahesh Singh scored a goal in the 70th minute to give the team its second consecutive win. Chhetri’s hat-trick helped India beat Pakistan 4-0 in their first match on Wednesday.
Please tell that Sunil Chhetri became the second Asian player to score 91 goals in 139 matches. Iran’s Ali Dei holds the first position with 109 goals in 148 matches. Also ranked third among active players in the world. He is the highest goalscorer among active Asian players.
Sunil Chhetri scored the first goal
Coming to the match, Nepal’s excellent defense and counter-attacking performance kept India at bay throughout the first half. India showed more urgency in the second half and as a result India got their first chance to score in the 61st minute. Captain Sunil Chhetri gave India a 1-0 lead by scoring on a pass from Sahal and Mahesh.
The goal roused the Indian players and they continued to look for the second goal with Sahal moving the midfield brilliantly. The Kerala player combined with Mahesh Singh to strengthen India’s lead. Midfielder Sahal made a long run and passed to Chhetri. Sunil plays the shot, but his shot hits Limbu.
Mahesh scored the second goal for the team
However, in the 70th minute, Mahesh Singh was in the right place to put the ball into the net as India took a decisive 2-0 lead. Despite having a two-goal lead, Nepal tried hard to come back. But India managed to keep the scoreline intact.