Indian football team advanced to the final of the SAFF Championship to set up a summit clash with Afghanistan. The Indian players exhibited some brilliant piece of football as they ousted the tournament-favourites Maldives 1-0, thanks to a late goal from defender Arnab Mondal in the dying minutes of the match.
The stage was set for an exciting battle on the field between the players and an intriguing tactical conflict off the field. On that note it can be said that India’s coach Wim Coevermans clearly outwitted his counterpart Urbaniy Istaven Bella for yet another time after India had tasted sweet victories over Maldives in the last years. India adopted brilliant defensive tactics as they completely nullified their opponent’s ace striker Ali Ashfaq throughout the match. Such was the dominance of the Indian defenders that Ashfaq, who scored 10 goals in the last few matches, could never create a clear opening to see his team through. Maldives did get few chances towards the early minutes of the first half but the Indian defenders and goalie Subrata Paul managed to keep them at bay.
India, on the other hand, playing without their numero uno striker and captain, Sunil Chhetri fielded Robin Singh as the lone striker. The tall striker could not manage to find any room as the Maldives defender always had a numerical supremacy in their half. Still India managed to create a scoring opportunity in the 42nd minute of the match when Francis Fernandez produced a defense splitting pass to Robin Singh. Singh passed on the ball to Arata who in turn left it out for Mehtab Hossain to have a go only to find him way off target.
India began the second half with lot more intent as they tried to force the issue. Francis had his feeble shot saved by the Maldives keeper as India began to enjoy more possession. The Maldives forward also attempted few shots at the goal, but Paul and his defenders were up to the task to deny their opponents. Then came the moment of the match. Mehtab Hossain floated the flag-kick. As Nabi headed it goal wards it got deflected of a Maldives defender to fall in the path of Arnab Mondal. Mondal made no mistake to find the back of the net giving India a much deserved lead at the dying moments.
As the referee blew the final whistle the jubilant Indian team began their celebrations on the sideline on the occasion of reaching the final of the SAFF Championships for the ninth time. The depleted Maldives players argued with the referee as they began to jostle with the match officials and the police workmen by the sidelines. In the process, Maldives’ Ali Umar got the marching orders from the referee. Before the situation worsened the stewards came on and separated the Maldives player.
India have now got one more match in hand, that too against Afghanistan, the team which is ranked higher than India in the FIFA rankings. With an opportunity of becoming champions outside their home turf lurking ahead, Indian players are gearing up to have a final blast in the summit clash of the SAFF Championships 2013.
Tags: Arnab Mondal FIFA rankings football India reach SAFF final India vs Afghanistan Indian Football Team Mehtab Hossain SAFF SAFF Championship Subrata Paul Sunil Chhetri
