SAFF Championship: India 4-1 Nepal – Chhangte, Borges star as Blue Tigers confirm semis berth

Stephen Constantine’s side registered their second consecutive victory in the SAFF Championship to qualify for the semis…

India ended Nepal’s hopes of making it into the semi-finals of the SAFF Championship by winning 4-1 in their second group A game on Sunday evening at the Trivandrum International Stadium. Bimal Magar put the Gorkhalis ahead in the third minute before Rowllin Borges equalized in the 26th minute. Sunil Chhetri (68’) and substitute Lallianzuala Chhangte (81’ and 90’) goals in the second half helped the Blue Tigers top the group A with two wins from as many games.

Hosts India made five changes to the side which beat Sri Lanka a couple of days back. Subrata Paul, Aiborlang Khongjee, Bikash Jairu, Rowllin Borges and Holicharan Narzary found a place in the starting eleven.

Bishal Rai and Nawayug Shreshta were included in the line-up for Bikram Lama and Anil Gurung by Patrick Aussems.

Nepal started better of the two sides and took a lead in the third minute. Rohit Chand’s pass found Nawayug Shrestha who got beyond his marker and struck the woodwork. The ball fell for Bimal Margar who slotted the ball into an empty net.

However, India found the equalizer through Rowllin Borges in a rather controversial fashion. Narayas Das’ free-kick saw Pritam Kotal handle the ball inside the box which allowed Borges to lash it in and score his first international goal.

India had a chance a minute to score their second. Sanju Pradhan's shot went inches wide after Jairu's cross from the left and was aimed for Narzary but Kiran punched it clear.

The industrious NorthEast United player made another goal scoring chance in the 23rd minute as his cross was headed off target by Narzary. Bikash Jairu looked to get on the end of it to slot it in but his attempt went out of play.

The two teams headed into the break with the score-line reading 1-1.

The second half saw both coaches make a change each. Constantine brought in Lallinzuala Chhangte for Sanju Pradhan while goal scorer Magar was replaced by Jagjit Shrestha.

Nepal had a couple of good attempts on goal but Paul did well to deny Nawayug and Hema Gurung. 

Chhetri scored the second goal for India capitalizing on a mistake by Jitendra Karki. Narzary’s cross found Chhetri whose first touch takes the ball away from the centre-back which allowed him to place the ball to Kiran’s right and into the back of the net.

India could have had their third goal soon after. This was after Chhetri found Narzary whose shot was blocked before Chhangte picked up the pieces and his eventual shot was cleared off the line by Aditya Chaudhary.

Substitute Anil Gurung had a chance as he got beyond the Indian defence which saw Paul come off his line to close the angle. His shot was deflected for a corner in the 74th minute. 

Chhangte became the youngest Indian goal scorer in the 81st minute as he cut in from the right and his left footed shot went straight into the far corner.

Narzary too had a chance to add his name on the score-sheet but his shot from the left was kept out by the Nepal custodian.

India added their fourth goal in the 90th minute. Borges played a sublime ball over the top of the Nepal defence which saw Chhangte run across and head it home to score his second of the evening.

Nepal finished at the bottom of the group A standings as they failed to win in their two league games. Sri Lanka qualify for the play-offs after registering a slim 1-0 win over Nepal.