Eighth wonder

Male (Maldives), October 16

Talisman Sunil Chhetri equalled the iconic Lionel Messi with his 80th international goal as an inspired India blanked Nepal 3-0 for their eighth SAFF Championship title here today.

India extended their domination in the regional tournament thanks to second-half goals from Chhetri (49th minute), Suresh Singh (50th) and Sahal Abdul Samad (90th).

With his strike, the 37-year-old Chhetri equalled Messi and became the second highest goal-scorer in international football among active players.

India dominated possession in the first half but failed to break the deadlock. However, Chhetri put India ahead minutes into the second half. Chhetri headed in a delivery from Pritam Kotal from the right flank.

Barely a minute after the opener, another attack by India caught Nepal completely off-guard as Suresh found the back of the net after Yasir Mohammad brilliantly cut it back for the mid-fielder.

There was a chance for Manvir Singh in the 52nd minute after he was played through, but his left-footed effort was blocked.

Sahal made it 3-0 when he dribbled past a few defenders after receiving the ball on the left flank at the stroke of the final whistle.

This is the Indian football team’s first title triumph under head coach Igor Stimac, who faced criticism in recent times for his side’s inability to win enough games.

However, when it mattered the most in this edition of the regional tournament, Stimac’s players delivered the results the team’s fans had been waiting for.

Stimac also became the third foreign coach after Jiri Pesek (1993) and Stephen Constantine (2015) to clinch the title with the Indian team.

Having endured a topsy-turvy start to their campaign, India ended it in style against the first-time finalists. The final was the 12th for India in 13 editions, showing the domination of the Blue Tigers in this regional tournament. — PTI