The six-time SAFF champions secured a narrow win over Maldives to book their place in the finals.
India edged past Madives 3-2 in the semi-final of the 2015 SAFF Championship at the Trivandrum International Stadium, Kerala on Thursday evening. Sunil Chhetri's (25') opener and a brace from Jeje Lalpekhlua (34', 66') booked the host nation's spot in the final despite strikes from Ahmed Nashi (45' + 2') and Amdaan Ali (75').
India found the back of the net from a corner-kick as Arnab Mondal’s shot from the edge of the box took a deflection off Jeje to find the back of the net but the latter was found to be in an offside position.
The Blue Tigers came close a few minutes later through Bikash Jairu and Holicharan Narzary but Maldives were lucky to not have conceded.
The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Lyngdoh’s shot from range was parried away by Imran Mohamed. Chhetri was the first to get on the end of it and his ball across the face of goa as picked by Narzary. The Mizoram striker’s cross was headed home by Chhetri at the far post.
Imran did well to deny Narayan Das from a set-piece before making twin saves off Chhetri and Jeje at the half hour mark.
Jeje soon made amends in the 34th minute as he latched on to a pass by Narzary and slotted the ball home.
Chhetri could have had his second when his shot was kept out by the Maldives custodian.
In the 44th minute, Jeje did ever so well to get beyond the goalkeeper but his ball into the box was intercepted by Shafiu Ahmed.
Maldives pulled one back in the injury time through Nashid Ahmed. Ashfaq did well under pressure inside the box to find Imaaz Ahmed who laid it back for Nashid whose shot gave Gurpreet no chance whatsoever to make a save.
After the break, Imran Mohammed was once again called into question from a Narayas Das free-kick which he kept out. At the other end, Ashfaq got into a good position but his shot was blocked.
Jeje had a couple of chances which he couldn’t convert but eventually scored his second of the game. Chhetri played it for him inside the box and the Chennaiyin FC striker did well to evade Amdaan Ali and Shafiiu Ahmed to place it on the right of Maldives custodian.
However, Amdaan pulled one back in the 75th minute as he headed in from a corner-kick.
Chhangte came close to scoring his third goal in the competition when Jeje’s header found the former whose snapshot was blocked by Imran in goal.
Jeje could have had his hat-trick in the 84th minute. Jairu’s shot was blocked and the ball fell at Jeje’s feet. Spotting the goalkeeper off his line, he saw his looping effort go over the bar.
Two minutes later, Jeje, Chhangte and Jairu missed the target from inside the box. Maldives couldn’t create enough chances to threaten the Indian citadel and paid the price as they once again exit the competition in the semi-final stage.
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