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Match Preview Thiruvananthapuram: Hosts India are expected to face a tough task when they lock horns with a rampaging Afghanistan in a high-voltage SAFF Championship final at the Trivandrum International Stadium here on Sunday. Both teams have been unbeaten in the tournament. While Afghanistan have quite convincingly won all of their four matches, the Indians too have delivered when required and gathered three wins from three outings. [caption id=“attachment_2569122” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Afghanistan are clear favourites in the final of the SAFF Championships. Image: SAFF Cup Twitter[/caption] The visitors have been on a scoring spree in the tournament which includes a 5-0 hammering of Sri Lanka in the semi-finals. They had a goal difference of +10 in the group stages. India on the other hand edged past Maldives 3-2 in the other semi-final. The last time the two sides had met in the final of the SAFF Championship in 2013, it was Afghanistan who had emerged victorious (2-0). But Stephen Constantine and his men will be confident of turning the tables this time around. With striker Robin Singh out with an injury, Constantine would hope that star forward Sunil Chhetri will be able to get the goals. He did it against Maldives, but then again, breaking the Afghanistan defence would be a lot tougher. Besides Chhetri, the coach would look upto players like Holicharan Narzary and Jeje Lalpekhlua to score for the hosts. We might just also get to see a magical moment from the wonderkid Lallianzuala Chhangte. The 18-year-old netted twice against Nepal and became the youngest Indian scorer, moving past the iconic Baichung Bhutia, who did it as a 19-year-old in 1995. Another driving factor for the hosts will be the home crowd. The stadium has seen decent turnouts throughout the tournament and the attendance is expected to double for the final. However, to lift the trophy for the fourth time, the Indian defence will have to play out of their skins. Containing the likes of Masih Saighani, Ahmad Hatifie, and Hassan Amin will be no easy task. Then there are players like Khaibar Amani and Faysal Shayeseth, who have grabbed four goals each so far in the tourney. The head to head record speaks in favour of India. Out of the six matches played so far between the two nations, India have won four, drawn one and lost one. The hosts would ideally want to have a sweet revenge for their 0-2 loss in Nepal two years ago, but stopping such a powerhouse, who have been scoring goals for fun would prove to be a tough challenge.
SAFF Cup final, as it happened: Chhetri the match-winner as India reclaim title from Afghans
Live updates from the SAFF Cup final between hosts India and defending champions Afghanistan
 "SAFF Cup final, as it happened: Chhetri the match-winner as India reclaim title from Afghans")
A great start to 2016 for Indian Football. But the real challenges lie ahead. Miles to go before Indian football can achieve greatness. On that note, we sign off from the live blog. It was an absloute pleasure bringing the SAFF Cup action live. Hope you enjoyed Firstpost’s coverage over the last eight days.
Adios, football fans!
VIDEO: @AiffMedia players celebrating with @StephenConstan after their #SAFFSuzukiCup triumph! pic.twitter.com/D72t4OMrVG
— SAFF Suzuki Cup (@SAFFSuzukiCup) January 3, 2016
On behalf of all Indian football fans, hope it doesn’t stop there.
On behalf of #AIFF I announce a bonus of 50000 dollars above the 50000 dollars prize money to the team. @AiffMedia #IndianFootball
— Praful Patel (@praful_patel) January 3, 2016
Kudos to fans in #Thiruvananthapuram too. Came in numbers to #BackTheBlue #SAFFsuzukicup #INDvAFG #Indianfootball
— football news india (@fni) January 3, 2016
Full-time analysis: It was a scrappy match for the most part but there was absoultely no dearth of goal-mouth action. Both sides created truckload of chances, but Afghan took the lead with a clinical goal late in regulation time. But Jeje hit right back to take the match into extra-time. With Afghan looking increasingly likely to win it late, up stepped Indian captain Sunil Chhetri to score what proved to be the match-winner. Chhetri and Gurpreet in goal were absolutely tremendous for India. For Afghanistan, the coach was sent off late on for protesting over penalty appeals. To be fair, there were a close couple of calls at the end.
In the end, India hang on and probably deservedly so. The SAFF Cup is back with India.
An all round performance from the team @AiffMedia great win guys! Congratulations! We're champions! @StephenConstan @fni
— Lester Dmello (@lestler) January 3, 2016
The crowd must be absolutely thrilled. Well done, Trivandrum!
Great scenes here in Trivandrum as the hosts celebrate their win with their passionate fans! #SAFFSuzukiCup pic.twitter.com/dAV4tAp45w
— SAFF Suzuki Cup (@SAFFSuzukiCup) January 3, 2016
120+1' SUB for @AiffMedia! Pradhan replaces Jairu! #SAFFSuzukiCup pic.twitter.com/kZgODv7sZA
— SAFF Suzuki Cup (@SAFFSuzukiCup) January 3, 2016
115' Extraordinary scenes here as Afghanistan coach Petar Segrt is sent off by the referee #SAFFSuzukiCup pic.twitter.com/16WQIwSspn
— SAFF Suzuki Cup (@SAFFSuzukiCup) January 3, 2016
@chetrisunil11 is the 46th player to reach to 50 international goals. Joins a list with the likes of Pele, Puskas, Ronaldo Nazario Congrats!
— Javier Ceppi (@JavierCeppi) January 3, 2016
Oh, what a passage of play for India! Jeje does really well in keeping the ball at the corner flag, a rebound is latched on to by a flying Das from left back whose cut back is parried on to Jeje’s feet. His shot hits the defender and Narzary tries to chip it over the keeper and it goes just over.
India 2-1 Afghanistan after 112 mins
And it’s half-time in extra-time. Can India hang on to their slender advantage? Or will Afghan make another comeback?
Almost a defensive blunder but @GurpreetGK saves the day! We are tired of talking his name again and again! :)
— Indian Football News (@indianfootynet) January 3, 2016
What a night. Simply outstanding!
— Manas (@manasmitul) January 3, 2016
A close hand-ball call against Halder is not given and the resulting corner results in a scrap in the box but Mondal gets the clearance away. Very scrappy extra time so far, but Afghans clearly the better side late on here.
After 100 mins it’s 1-1
A close hand-ball call against Halder is not given and the resulting corner results in a scrap in the box but Mondal gets the clearance away. Very scrappy extra time so far, but Afghans clearly the better side late on here.
After 100 mins it’s 1-1
A close hand-ball call against Halder is not given and the resulting corner results in a scrap in the box but Mondal gets the clearance away. Very scrappy extra time so far, but Afghans clearly the better side late on here.
After 100 mins it’s 1-1
Admittedly harsh yellow for Lyngdoh but the tackle was from behind. Free kick is hit straight at the Indian wall. Still 1-1 after 95 mins.
That was on the ball from Eugeneson. NOT a foul, not a yellow. #INDvAFG #SAFFSuzukiCup
— Manas (@manasmitul) January 3, 2016
Not a bad option to bring on from the bench.
91' SUB for Afghanistan! Top scorer Amani comes on for Zazai! #SAFFSuzukiCup pic.twitter.com/XMAseTpO7i
— SAFF Suzuki Cup (@SAFFSuzukiCup) January 3, 2016
The goals came in quick succession in the second half! Who scored the better goal?! #SAFFSuzukiCup pic.twitter.com/oUbaNI6InE
— SAFF Suzuki Cup (@SAFFSuzukiCup) January 3, 2016
Extra time it is. What a lovely Sunday this is. #SAFFSuzukiCup #INDvAFG #IndianFootball @fni
— chillowsky (@sreedhanya) January 3, 2016
That’s the end of a breathless second half! It’s 90 minutes and we still don’t have a winner. Extra time in Trivandrum. Who doesn’t love more football on a Sunday night.
FULL TIME | @AiffMedia 1-1 Afghanistan | Extra time coming up! #SAFFSuzukiCup pic.twitter.com/uVeYpijLAM
— SAFF Suzuki Cup (@SAFFSuzukiCup) January 3, 2016
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