Cameroon beat Maldives to meet India in Nehru Cup final

Cameroon’s Moundi Gustave heads during the Nehru Cup match against Maldives at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

NEW DELHI: A place in the summit clash was up for grabs for both Cameroon and Maldives. At the end, a spirited Cameroon got the better of 10-man Maldives 3-1 in the crucial Nehru Cup match at the Jawaharlal Stadium on Thursday (August 29). The result means that the Indomitable Lions will cross swords with India in the final on Sunday (September 2).

As things stand now, both Cameroon and India have 7 points each from 3 matches while Maldives, the other team who was in the contention prior to the kick-off finished their engagement on 6 points from 4 matches. Syria and Nepal had earlier bowed out of the Tournament.

India and Cameroon clash with each other in the last match of the round robin league which is also a dress rehearsal for the final slated to be played on September 2.

Coming to the match, Cameroon went ahead as early as in the 12^th minute through Kingue Mpondo’s close-range volley but his goal was cancelled out 13 minutes later when Abdul Akram slotted home from close range. But the islanders’ joy was short-lived as the Indomitable Lions restored their upper hand in the 39^th minute. Mpondo was on target again, this time from a corner. His header went like a bullet past Maldives custodian Mohammed Imran. Ebanga Bertin increased the margin in the 50^th minute from the spot.

Cameroon started the match from where they left in their last outing against Nepal, troubling the Red Snappers from the word go with swift flank movement and physical superiority.

A packed five-man midfield failed to bear fruit for Asfaq Ali’s boys until the 26^th minute when a brilliant move saw Easa Ismail set up Akram inside the box. Akram made no mistake from close range with a rasping right-footer that nestled into the far post. But the Indomitable Lions restored their superiority in the 39^th minute through Mpondo who doubled his tally with a powerful header from a corner.

Maldives were down to ten men at the beginning of the second half as Ashaad Ali was sent off for protesting against a spot kick decision. Ebanga Bertin, once again was spot on from the spot. The decision though left both Ali and his colleagues fuming.

Cameroon 3 (Kingue Mpondo 12^th, 39^th, Ebanga Bertin – 50^th (PEN)

beat

Maldives 1 (Abdul Akram – 26^th)

August 30: Nepal vs Syria (7pm).