SAFF Cup: India beat SL in opener
DHAKA: India began their campaign at the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship with a 2-0 win over Sri Lanka at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here on Wednesday.
Fielding a young team in their title defence, India took the lead courtesy an Ashique Kuruniyan strike in the 35th minute before Lallianzuala Chhangte added a second two minutes into the second half.
The defending champions began the game well and saw an early attempt from forward Sumeet Passi saved by Lankan custodian Sujan Perera in the second minute.
RELENTLESS PRESSURE
India continued to pile on the pressure with Chhangte and defender Salam Ranjan Singh both seeing their attempts go well off target in the early exchanges.
At the other end of the pitch, Sri Lanka came close in the 17th minute when midfielder Mohamed Rifnas’ free kick had India goalkeeper Vishal Kaith worried for a moment. It, however, flew wide of the goal.
In the 35th minute, India finally broke through when Kuruniyan met the end of a pass by Passi and shot past Perera.
Early in the second half, Chhangte handed India the twogoal cushion with a stunning left-footed finish from an acute angle that flew into the top corner.
MISSED CHANCE
In the 54th minute, Ashikur Rahman’s attempt was kept away by Kaith as India managed to keep the two-goal lead intact.
It could have been more for the Stephen Constantinecoached side had Farukh Choudhary’s 71st minute shot not hit the goal frame, much to the relief of the islanders’ backline.
Constantine’s team held on for the three points to step closer to a spot in the semi-finals of the competition.
India’s second, and last, group stage game will be against 2008 champions Maldives at the same venue.