India has scored an 82nd-minute winner to secure a vital win against table-topping Nepal in a must-win clash for the Indians in the SAFF Championship 2021.
This is the first time India has won in the tournament after having drawn their first two matches against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
This is also the first time Nepal has dropped points in the tournament after they had recorded wins against both the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Like the matches before, India had more possession and created more chances. India had 20 shots on goal and 5 were shots on target. Meanwhile, Nepal had only 4 shots on goal and none of them troubled the Indian goalkeeper.
Though the Indians created more, the Nepalese frustrated their neighbors for the majority of the game with diligent defending.
But Indian captain Suni Chhetri broke the deadlock in the 82nd of the minute having missed a sitter in the first half. This is the second goal of the tournament for the veteran striker.
The win takes India to 3rd having racked up 5 points from their three games so far.
The defeat to Nepal leaves them second behind hosts the Maldives on goal difference after the Red Snapper beat Sri Lanka 1-0 in the early kick-off.
The next matches would be played on the 13th of this month with Nepal taking on Bangladesh and the Maldives going against India.
