SAFF Suzuki Cup : India 4-1 Nepal - 5 Talking Points

Lallianzuala Chhangte celebrates becoming India’s youngest ever goal scorer (Image courtesy SAFF Suzuki Cup Twitter account)Lallianzuala Chhangte created history, scoring a late brace and becoming India’s youngest ever goal scorer, after goals from Rowlin Borges and Sunil Chhetri gave India the lead over a competitive Nepal side, who had earlier gone in front in the 3rd minute.The result means India are through to the SAFF Suzuki Cup semifinals, while Nepal are out of the tournament, with Sri Lanka qualifying at their expense.

#1 India missed Robin Singh\'s physicality

Robin Singh was rested after he picked up a minor injury in India’s previous game

The Blue Tigers had Robin Singh to thank for their win in their last match against Sri Lanka. He ended up scoring a brace. Against Nepal, they managed to get into dangerous positions in the final third. The issue though, was the lack of a target man to aim at.

With Robin out due to injury, the likes of Chhetri and Bikash Jairu didn’t provide any kind of aerial threat in the box. This made things all the more difficult for India as they had to play their way into the Nepal penalty box.

Sanju Pradhan and Narayas Das did whip in some delightful crosses into the box but the absence of an imposing forward nullified India’s clever wing play. Indian coach, Stephen Constantine will be hoping he can call upon the services of his main man in the semi finals of the tournament.

#2 Nepal scored after 843 days

Nepal last scored in the 2013 SAFF Championships

27th December 2015 will go down as a historic day in Nepalese football. The Gorkhalis finally provided some joy to their fans as they managed to score a goal. The significance of the goal though was apparent. The relief on the Nepalese player’s faces painted a thousand words.

Nepal have scored in recent friendlies, but last scored in an official competitive match on 5^th September 2013 against India. Tonight they expressed themselves on the pitch and committed numbers going forward. They were rewarded for their efforts early on as they took a 1-0 lead inside the first three minutes.

Striker Bimal Magar and Nawayug Shrestha largely played off their marker’s shoulders and did it to good effect. It was easily one of their better performances in recent times.

#3 Nervy defending at both ends

Both the sides’ defenders had error-ridden games (Image courtesy SAFF Suzuki Cup Twitter account)

Both India and Nepal were guilty of not being watertight at the back. The likes of Heman Gurung in Nepal’s midfield had ample time to pick and choose his passes outside India’s penalty box. India displayed endeavor tonight but always looked a tad tired at the back.

Nepal did have two extra days of rest heading into tonight’s match. Perhaps you could attribute India’s slow start to that. None of the players made any glaring errors. However both defenses did seem to give their opponents considerable time on the ball.

Nepal’s back four looked nervous on numerous occasions every time the ball was whipped in from the wings. A lack of ruthlessness in front of goal meant that both teams cancelled each other out to a large extent.

#4 Sunil Chhetri rewarded for his patience

The skipper toiled alone upfront, but scored a goal to give India the lead (Image courtesy SAFF Suzuki Cup Twitter account)

Patience is a virtue that every good striker must possess. Ask any striker and they will tell you it gets pretty lonely up front. Especially when you’re chasing the game. Tonight Nepal kept the ball well for considerable parts of the game.

With no Jeje and Robin to assist him, India’s number 11 looked dejected heading into the tunnel after the first half. Understandably so. He had hardly had a sniff at goal. The second half was largely similar for the Bengaluru FC forward.

He worked hard and tracked back throughout the game without any joy in the scoring department. He was eventually rewarded with twenty minutes remaining. He made most of Narzary’s cross from the left wing as he slotted home from close range to give India a 2-1 lead.

#5 18 year old Chhangte becomes youngest ever to score for India

Lallianzuala has created history in both his games for India

Baichung Bhutia was 19 years old when he scored his first goal for India in the Nehru Cup against Uzbekistan. Lallianzuala Chhangte is currently 18 years old. He turns 19 only in January.

His left footed scorcher tonight made him the youngest player ever to score for India in a competitive international. After receiving the ball on the right wing, Chhangte cut inside with his left and let loose from an acute angle. He left the Nepalese full back for dead with his trickery and pace.

Lallianzuala injected some much needed energy into the Indian team. The midfielder from Mizoram displayed promise in his performance tonight. This 19 year old will be a talent to watch out for in the near future. In only his second match, he added a second in the 90th minute with a clever header over Nepal’s keeper.