Ratings: Chhetri-Mahesh duo leads India into SAFF Championship 2023 semis
India beat Nepal by an assuring 2-0 scoreline in the SAFF Championship 2023 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday. Igor Stimac‘s men handled Vincenzo Alberto Annese’s boys intelligently and waited for the right moment to strike. The first half may have seen a goal if Sahal Abdul Samad had judged the flight of and converted Akash Mishra‘s cross properly. However, Nepal’s reluctance to commit their full-backs meant India had to fight a gritty, low block and could only come up with a stalemate. After half-time, Annese instructed his side to commit players in attack and try and get something out of the game. India smelled blood and shifted their game to the wings entirely, leading to Sunil Chhetri’s goal in the 62nd minute. A simple cross from Naorem Mahesh Singh helped Chhetri turn hero and eight minutes later, the former turned goal-scorer himself.
