India registered their second consecutive win in the SAFF Championship by pipping Maldives 2-0 to book a semi final spot. With this win India finish top of group B to face their arch-rivals Pakistan in the semi-final on Wednesday.
Nikhil Poojary (36th minute) and Manvir Singh (45th) scored the goals for India.
Match reports
India started on attacking terms yet again as Nikhil Poojary got the first opportunity in the 11th minute off a Anirush Thapa cross. Poojary’s header sailed over the Maldives crossbar.
Indian forward line were swapping positions that certainly confused the Maldives defense. India eventually build some attack in 36th minute. Nikhil was again in the fray and this time he didn’t do any mistake by pouncing on a loose ball to net it past the Maldives goalkeeper Mohamed Faisal.
Just before the half time, Manvir doubled India’s lead courtesy of a magical pass from Anirudh Thapa.
Maldives put their best foot forward to draw first blood and they just managed to succeed in the 73rd minute but a interception by Jerry Lalrinzuala meant that Indian goalkeeper Vishal Kaith kept the cleansheet in the match.
India vs Pakistan in football
World ranked 201 Pakistan will take on World ranked 96 India in the high profile semi-final clash.The last time the two teams met in an official match was also in SAFF Championship in Kathmandu in September 2013, where India registered a 1-0 win.
