Sunil Chhetri: The Indomitable Leader Inspiring Victory in SAFF Championship against Nepal by 2-0

New Delhi 25 June (VNI)India Secures Semifinal Spot with 2-0 Victory over Nepal in SAFF Championship

India's national football team clinched a place in the semifinals of the SAFF Championship with a hard-fought 2-0 win against Nepal at the renowned Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday. Skipper Sunil Chhetri and Naorem Mahesh Singh were the heroes of the day, as their goals propelled India to a well-deserved victory.

The match started off on a challenging note for the Indian side, which underwent significant changes compared to their previous dominating performance against Pakistan. With only Chhetri, Anirudh Thapa, and Sahal Abdul Samad retaining their spots, the rest of the team had to quickly adapt to the spirited Nepalese challenge.

The determined Nepalese team, backed by a vocal home crowd, put immense pressure on the Indian players right from the kickoff. India struggled to find their rhythm, often opting for individual plays instead of cohesive team movements. Passes went awry, with Thapa and Rohit Kumar particularly guilty of misplacing their deliveries.

A visibly frustrated Chhetri took matters into his own hands, launching a relentless solo press in an attempt to ignite his teammates and break the deadlock. However, Nepal's resilient defense managed to keep India at bay for the majority of the first half.

Surprisingly, it was Nepal who created the better chances in the first period. Devendra Tamang unleashed a powerful volley from outside the penalty area, forcing a remarkable save from Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. Bimal Magar, too, had an excellent opportunity to put Nepal in the lead but failed to convert from close range.

As the second half commenced, India knew they had to step up their game. Just as assistant coach Mahesh Gawli, standing in for Igor Stimac, contemplated making crucial changes to the lineup, their captain, Chhetri, rose to the occasion. In the 61st minute, he expertly directed a low cross from Mahesh into the back of the net, sending the Indian supporters into a frenzy.

The goal breathed new life into the Indian team, who now had the momentum on their side. In the 70th minute, their persistent efforts paid off once again, as a Chhetri strike ricocheted off the crossbar and fell kindly to Mahesh, who made no mistake in tucking it away. The 2-0 lead deflated Nepal, leaving them with an uphill battle to stage a comeback.

Despite their spirited efforts, Nepal failed to find a breakthrough, with India's defense standing firm to secure a clean sheet. The final whistle confirmed India's victory, earning them a spot in the highly anticipated semifinals of the SAFF Championship.

With this win, India joins fellow Group-A side Kuwait, who earlier defeated Pakistan 4-0, in the race for the title. The stage is set for an intense semifinal showdown as India aims to continue their impressive run in the tournament.