Inaugural match of the SAAF championship won by India with a 4-0 victory

The first match of this year’s South Asian Football Federation (SAAFF) championship to be hosted jointly by Maldives and Sri Lanka was played in the Maldives this evening at the National Football Stadium (Galolhu Football Grounds) between India against Nepal.

India defeated Nepal 4-0 to win the match.

During the first 15 minutes, the match was well fought by both sides, especially in the 15th minute India was much more dangerous-looking.

In the 27th minute India scored a goal by using a well deserved timely chance.

During the 30th minute the Indian keeper defended Nepal’s corner.

Just about this time Indian players dominated in Nepal’s goal area and managed to score from a cross to Indian player no.15 and thereby took the lead in the match.

In the 43rd minute the captain of the Indian team had a chance to score a goal. The first half of the match ended with India leading by 2-0, making it a superb spectacle.

During the second half’s play some substitutions were made by the Indian team.

When play reached the 20th minute India successfully utilised their chance to score the third goal of the match.

This goal was scored by Sunil Chetry.

In the 38th minute a cross from an Indian player in front of the Nepalese goal was converted into the back of the net for their fourth goal to win the match by 4-0.

The play of the Nepalese team was lacklustre.