Xtra Time Web Desk: India extended its domination in the SAFF Championships, thanks to second half goals from Captain Sunil Chhetri (49th minute), Suresh Singh (50th) and Sahal Abdul Samad (90th) for a record eighth title at Maldives on Saturday.
37-year-old Chhetri equalled Lionel Messi’s 80 goal record to become the second highest goal-scorer in international football among active players.
India dominated possession in the first-half but failed to break the deadlock. The Blue Tigers got the breakthrough as in the 49th minute after Sunil charged in to neatly head in a delivery from Pritam Kotal on the right flank, leaving the Nepalese goalkeeper with no chance to come to his team’s rescue.
Barely a minute after Chhetri’s opener, India extended the lead through Suresh Singh after Yasir Mohammad brilliantly cut it back for the mid-fielder.
Sahal Abdul Samad scored his first international goal to complete the domination for Blue Tigers.
This was the first title for Igor Stimac as coach of the Indian football team. He joined Jiri Pesek (1993) and Stephen Constantine (2015) to win the SAFF Championships.