No Superstars, No Problem! Moosa’s Young Brigade March Into SAFF Semis
India’s 1-0 win over the Maldives at the National Stadium wasn’t a flashy goal-fest. It was a test of pure grit and two young players passed it with flying colours.
XtraTime Webdesk: No senior superstars? No problem. Coach Naushad Moosa brought a bunch of hungry youngsters to Dhaka for the SAFF Championship, and they have just marched into the semi-finals as Group B toppers.
India’s 1-0 win over the Maldives at the National Stadium wasn’t a flashy goal-fest. It was a test of pure grit and two young players passed it with flying colours.
First up, Suhail Ahmad Bhat. The young forward is having the tournament of his life. After smashing two goals past Pakistan in the opener, he stepped up again when it mattered most. In the 38th minute, after Abdul Rabeeh was brought down inside the box, Suhail placed the ball on the penalty spot. No nerves, no fuss just a calm finish past the keeper for his third goal in two games.
That one kick put India ahead, but the real drama came late in the second half. Desperate to stay in the tournament, the Maldives threw everything at the Indian goal. Enter goalkeeper Priyansh Dubey. In the dying moments of the match, Dubey pulled off a heroic point-blank save blocking the ball right with his face to keep the clean sheet intact and break Maldivian hearts.
Two matches, six points, and top of the table. While everyone wondered how an Under-23 heavy squad would handle the pressure of defending India’s crown, these boys have answered the best way possible. Bring on the semi-finals on November 14.