SAFF Championship 2021: India beats hosts Maldives by 3-1 in must-win match, to face Nepal in the final on Saturday

For the Indian Football Fans, the result against Maldives gave some hope as the Indian Team reached the Final of SAFF Championship 2021. The Indian Football Team will battle it out for their 8th title against Nepal on Saturday, 16th October.

However, India’s last group fixture against the Maldives on Wednesday, 13 October at the National Football Stadium in Malé, the Maldives – decided its fate whether they will play SAFF Championship 2021 Final. As so far in the tournament India had Two Draws – 1-1 against Bangladesh & 0-0 against Sri Lanka and One Win – 1-0 against Nepal.

Meanwhile, only the top two teams will play in the final. As a result, with this win, India finished at top of the table with 8 points and Nepal is in second place with 7 points.

Maldives – Starting XI

Mohamed Faisal (GK), Hussain Sifaau Yoosuf, Ali Samooh, Akram Abdul Ghanee, Haisham Hassan, Ibrahim Mahudhee Hussain, Ibrahim Aisham, Hamza Mohamed, Hussain Nihaan, Ali Fasir, Ali Ashfaq

India – Starting XI

Here's how the #BlueTigers 🐯 will line-up against Maldives today 🙌#INDMDV ⚔️ #SAFFChampionship2021 🏆 #BackTheBlue 💙 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/KdaxyCIghX

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 13, 2021

 

SAFF Championship 2021 – India vs Maldives

India had a chance to take a lead in the 25’, as Sunil Chhetri’s header – received from a set-piece hits the goal post.

Meanwhile, attack by India as Manvir Singh receives the ball by Brandon Fernandes. No mistake was made by Manvir Singh as he scores in the 33’. India leading by 1-0 against the hosts.

Just before half-time, a Penalty is rewarded to Maldives as Pritam Kotal makes a foul on Hamza inside the box. And in 45’ its Goal by Ali Ashfaq as he finds the equalizer from the spot as he sent the Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to the opposite side.

Half-time: India 1-1 Maldives

However, India finds another goal as Captain Sunil Chhetri scores in the 62’ – as Manvir Singh guided the ball towards the Skipper and Chhetri found the back of the net. With this, the Blue Tigers was leading by 2-1.

But, just nine minutes after that Sunil Chhetri scores again with an amazing header in the 71’ to give India a strong lead of 3-1 against Maldives.

With this Sunil Chhetri has earned an achievement, he has now 79 International Goals. By Surpassing, Pele’s 77 goals. He is one goal less than Lionel Messi.

1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ Internationals 😯
7️⃣9️⃣ Goals 😱@chetrisunil11 becomes the joint 6th highest goalscorer in the world! 🤩#INDMDV ⚔️ #SAFFChampionship2021 🏆 #BackTheBlue 💙 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/Tg4UCTPAAE

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 13, 2021

Meanwhile, in the 90+3 – Subhasish Bose is send off the field as he receives his second yellow card of the match. India is down to 10 men in the dying minutes.

As a result, the Full-time score read – India won 3-1 against Maldives in SAFF Championship 2021.

FULL-TIME! ⌛️

The referee blows his whistle and brings an end to the game! India are through to the Final! 🙌

🇮🇳 3-1 🇲🇻#INDMDV ⚔️ #SAFFChampionship2021 🏆 #BackTheBlue 💙 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/n9J2aZvvos

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 13, 2021