India clinches SAFF Championship for 8th time

October 16, Kathmandu: Nepal, which had made its footballing history by reaching the final of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship for the first time, was defeated by arch-rival India on Saturday.

In the final match played at the Maldive National Stadium, India defeated Nepal three goals to nil.

With this win, India has clinched the SAFF Championship title for the eighth time.

Although the first half of the final match ended in a goalless draw, India scored three goals in the second half.

Indian Captain Sunil Chhetri, Suresh Singh Wangzam and Sahal Abdul Samad scored a goal each for India for the win.

India took a lead with a header by Chettri in the 49th minute, while Suresh scored in the 59th minute of the game.

Sahal scored a goal in the injury time of the game, sealing a 3-0 victory for India and limiting Nepal to the runner-up status in South Asia’s biggest football championship.

India had played the final remaining in the top spot of the tournament in which five countries were vying.

Nepal reached the final remaining in the second spot on the basis of Round Robin league.

Nepal played four games of the Championship. It won two games while one game ended in a draw. Nepal was defeated by India 1-0 in the earlier game of the Championship.

Nepal stopped Bangladesh to a 1-1 goal draw in the final game of the league stage and entered the final of the Championship. India had entered the final after winning two games and drawing in two.