Dhaka, Dec 07
India cruised into the semi-finals of the Bangabandhu SAFF Championship edging past a gritty Nepal in a fiercely competitive match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Monday.
With the win India sat on the top of the table with six points with Maldives trailing on four points, Nepal one and Afghanistan yet to open the account after the two rounds. India play Maldives and Nepal take on Afghanistan in the last group matches on Wednesday
India took the lead with a touch of fortune in the 18th minute with Shushil Kumar curling a free kick from about 25 yards that hit the outside edge of the crosspiece and rebounded into the game. Bikash Malla the long serving Nepalese custodian fumbled to grip the ball allowing Jibon Singh to stab home with a header beating the outstretched hands of Bikash.
Nepal shocked by the strike carried out a series of attacks but the Indian defence stood firm against the challenges. Anil Gurung, the I league forward of Shilong Lajong was asking the heaven what went wrong as his powerful header off a Biraj Mahajan cross from the right flank whiskered past the sidepost in the 34th minute.
Absorbing the attack India started to hit back and in the 36th minute almost scored the second. Skipper Shushil broke through the midfield and chipped the ball over onrushing Bikash Malla but defender Anjan cleared the goal bound ball much to the relief of the Nepalese supporters.
Nepal mounted pressure after the resumption but was unable to break through. But the Indian defence led by rock solid custodian Arindam was too strong for the Himalayan booters. The young Arindam stood like a wall in front of all Nepalese attacks and the Indian defence inspired by him also raised their level. The Nepalese attackers never found any free space in the box and two long range drives by Bijay Gurung and Chetan Ghimire in the 73rd and 77th minute was off the target.
