India get revenge, beat Afghanistan to win SAFF title

New Delhi: India pumped in four goals in the last 20 minutes with a controversial penalty triggering the win against Afghanistan in an ill-tempered summit clash as the home side lifted the SAFF Championship for the sixth time here today. Star striker Sunil Chhetri put defending champions India ahead when he converted from the spot in the 71st minute in controversial circumstances. The other three goals were scored by Clifford Miranda (79th), Jeje Lalpekhula (80th) and Sushil Singh (injury time) after Afghanistan were reduced to 10 men following the marching orders by the referee on Afghanistan goalkeeper Hameedullah Yousefzari. The whole drama started as soon as the referee Sukhbir Singh from Singapore awarded a penalty after Jeje was brought down by Afghanistan central defender Faisal Safa. [caption id=“attachment_153527” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Indian striker Jeje Lalpekhula celebrate after scoring a goal against Afghanistan in the final match of the SAFF championship 2011. PTI”]  [/caption] The decision was questionable but Afghanistan goalkeeper Hameedullah Yousefzari took things in his own hand by pushing the referee. The result was a red card which forced the visitors to play with 10 men for the last 20 minutes at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, which witnessed a turnout of about 5000 spectators, the highest in the tournament. Afghanistan, who were playing in their maiden final, lost their bearings once their goalkeeper was sent off and India capitalised on the advantage. Afghan coach, Yousef Kargar, was in a quandary as he had to sacrifice a regular player to accommodate his reserve goalkeeper. He brought in reserve goalkeeper Bashir Ahmad at the expense of winger Ghulam Hoddein. The Indians, meanwhile, regrouped after a mediocre display in the first half. Chhetri, whose first spot kick was disallowed because of intrusion by Nirmal Chhetri, ensured that he was on target after he was asked by retake the penalty. He was also adjudged player of the match and tournament. India retained their reputation of being a regional powerhouse intact by lifting the title but they were left gasping for their breath initially. The first half belonged to Afghanistan as they dominated proceedings by playing attacking football The Indians were often reduced to mere bystanders and the home side’s lack of imagination and inability to control the game was capitalised to the hilt by the Afghans who threatened the Indian goal on many occasions. The Afghans should have been ahead when dangerman Belal Arezou, who had come into the title clash with six goals to his name, left central defenders Mahesh Gawli and Gouramangi Singh for dead. Midfielder Yousef Mashriqi did the spadework but Arezou’s right-footer was brilliantly blocked by India custodian Karanjit Singh who used his feet to avert disaster for his team. The Indian goalkeeper deserves a mention as he came to his team’s rescue on quite a few occasions. When Arezou unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box, Karanjit was equal to the task making another good save. PTI