SAFF Championship: Sri Lanka 0-2 India – Robin’s brace helps Blue Tigers pick three points

The in-form Delhi Dynamos striker scored a couple of goals which helped India kick-start their SAFF campaign with a win…

Stephen Constantine lined-up his side in a 4-4-2 formation with Robin Singh and Jeje Lalpekhlua starting as the two strikers. Sunil Chhetri and Sanju Pradhan were the two wingers.

Interestingly, Sri Lanka coach opted to make five changes to the side which won 1-0 against Nepal.

The first chance of the game came in the sixth minute when Kotal’s cross towards the far post saw Chhetri’s header being kept out by Sujan Perera.

Four minutes later, Lyngdoh won the ball in the middle of the park and played it for Jeje who powered his way past two defenders. However, Perera came off his line to make a save from Jeje’s shot.

India had several crosses from the right which were either intercepted or blocked. From the left, India hardly attacked and when they did, the delivery into the box was poor.

Although they dominated the possession, there was a clear lack of penetration. After the half hour mark, Lyngdoh spotted Chhetri’s run down the left who did well to cut inside and his shot was parried away for a corner by the Lankan custodian.

Lanka were happy to sit back and absorb the pressure while India couldn’t carve open their defence.

Constantine introduced Rowllin Borges for Pronay Halder in the second half. India got the breakthrough in the 51st minute. Chhetri cut in from the left and pulled it back for Robin who blasted the ball in with a fierce left footed shot. After the hour mark, Pradhan had an effort on goal when his left footed effort was punched away by Perera.

Jeje had a chance to get himself on the score-sheet in the 68th minute. Pradhan’s cross from the right saw Jeje head it from close range but Perera kept the effort out.

India doubled their lead in the 74th minute. Chhetri’s header saw Robin get on the end of it. He got away from Wijesiri but his scuffed right footed shot was helped on its way in by Alawadeen. However, Robin picked up an injury and had to be stretchered off with Lallianzuala Chhangte being handed his first national cap.

Sri Lanka failed to test Gurpreet in goal and India continued to attack in numbers but couldn’t add more to the score-line.

India next comes up against Nepal on December 27.