India passes Nepal test with flying colours

                                 

Lallianzula Chhangate announced his arrival on the big stage in style as host India recovered from an early goal to pass the Nepal test with flying colours. The 4-1 result enabled India to top Group-A and advance to the semifinals of the SAFF Suzuki Cup football tournament at the Greenfield stadium here on Sunday.

Nepal’s loss means that Sri Lanka enters the semifinals from this group.

The 18-year-old Chhangte became the youngest Indian to score in an international match when he found the back of the net with a scorching left-footer from the top of the box in the 81st minute.

Chhangate, who came in for Sanju Pradhan after half-time, capped a memorable night by heading in India’s fourth goal in the 90th minute off a cross from Rowllin Borges.

Earlier, captain Sunil Chhettri put India up 2-1 with a sublime finish in the 68th minute.

It was Indian defender Pritam Kotal’s gaffe paved the way for Nepal’s goal as he inexplicably lost the ball to forward Nawayug Shrestha who advanced into the box and arrowed in a right footer past goalkeeper Subrata Paul in the third minute. The ball hit the far post and rebounded to an unmarked Bimal Magar who scored.

The goal silenced the boisterous crowd but India regrouped quickly. The hosts played with width and penetration to have the Nepalese defence in trouble on a few occasions.

A long ball from Pradhan sent Chhetri clear in the seventh minute but an effective tackle by Bishal Rai averted the danger.

Indians continued to swarm the rival box in a desperate effort to equalise, and eventually cancelled out Nepal’s lead in the 26th minute.

A foul on Eugeneson Lyngdoh yielded a free-kick and Narayan Das floated in a long ball into the Nepal penalty area. It caused enough confusion, and in the ensuing melee, Borges blasted the ball into the top of the net to make it 1-1.

The second Indian goal was a virtual gift as Nepal defender Jitendra Karki failed to obstruct the cross from Halicharan Narzary on the right flank, and Chhettri, who was lurking behind, made no mistake.

Until Chhettri’s goal, Nepal was very much in the game; it had troubled India with its fast breaks in the second half.

Paul came out of his guard to deny Anil Gurung and later fisted away a wickedly curving ball from Heman Gurang.

However, Chhettri’s goal opened the floodgates which led to an eventually convincing win.

Coach Stephen Constantine made five changes from the team that played against Sri Lanka. Halicharan Narzary came in for the injured Robin Singh to partner captain Chhetri upfront while Paul replaced Gurpreet Singh Sandu under the bar.

Borges was rewarded a place in the first XI following his performance against Sri Lanka. Defender Aiborlang Khonjee and midfielder Bikash Jairu were the new players.