Jeje double sees off Maldives as India make the Final

by Kaushal Shukla December 31, 2015

Free-flowing India recorded a 3-2 win over Maldives in the SAFF Suzuki Cup 2015 Semi-Final to reach their tenth SAFF Cup Final. Jeje Lalpekhlua scored a brace adding to Sunil Chhetri’s opener as India overcame defensive hick-ups to book a place in the Final.

India were dominant right from the outset against Maldives and had a goal ruled out for offside in the 12th minute when Arnab Mondal’s shot was touched into the goal by Jeje Lalpekhlua who was in an offside position.

India were making good use of their flanks and left winger Bikash Jairu brilliantly combined with Sunil Chhetri to go clear on goal, but couldn’t keep his shot down in the 20th minute.

But four minutes later, India got their goal courtesy of their skipper Sunil Chhetri who headed a Halicharan Narzary cross home to equal I.M Vijayan’s record of twelve goals in the SAFF Cup.

India had their tails up after going 1-0 up and forced the Maldives goalkeeper into a series of brilliant saves around the 30 minute mark. But he couldn’t stop India from doubling the lead on 33 minutes when Jeje Lalpekhlua coolly finished after latching onto a superb lofted pass from Halicharan Narzary.

India’s lead was however halved when Nashid Ahmed scored for Maldives on the stroke of half time to completely change the face of the game at the break.

India however came storming out in the second half and Halicharan Narzary once again carved out an opening for Jeje Lalpekhlua who could only blast his shot over the target.

But the Mohun Bagan striker made no mistake in the 65th minute when he scored to put India 3-1 up. Maldives however pulled a goal back ten minutes later when Amdhan Ali was allowed to send a free header into the Indian net.

India staved off any Maldivian attempts to take the game to extra time and held on to their slim advantage to book a place in the SAFF Suzuki Cup Final.

India will play either Sri Lanka or Afghanistan in the Final.