India face old rivals Nepal in SAFF U15 Final

by Chittu Shetty August 27, 2017

After defeating Bhutan 3-0 in the semi-final, India U-15 are now set to take on neighbours and host Nepal for the final of SAFF U-15 Championship

Photo Credit: @AIFF Twitter

For the second time in the four editions of SAFF U-15 championship (previously U-16) India and Nepal are set out to face each other in the finals. The first final’s meeting was back in 2013, when India edged out their neighbours by a solitary goal margin.

The 2013 encounter between the two sides was also played in Nepal and both sides came in to final unbeaten. The tournament also saw emergence of future stars for both countries. Jerry Lalrinzuala – the left back, who scored the all important goal in the final from almost 35 yards, just made his senior team debut this year in June against the same opponent. While for host, it was the tournament top scorer Bimal Magar who went out to become the star of Nepal senior side.

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 Although much fancied to win the tournament based on recent forms, India will still have to be aware off their opponent. Despite the vast scale of difference in Ranking between the two sides, Nepal has always managed to be a tough competitor for India. Off the three teams that faced India in this tournament, Nepal has been the only one that managed to score although through a penalty. Nepal will also have the backing off a capacity crowd when they take on India.

Both sides have a strong attacking unit having scored more than 10 goals each in just three games. Akash Magar and Brijesh Chaudary are the top scorer for the host with four and three goals respectively, similarly for India, it has been Vikram singh and Ravi Rana leading the scoring chart having scored half of the team’s 14 goals in the tournament.

This the fourth consecutive time India has reached the final having lost two and won one. While Nepal will look to win their first SAFF U-15 title and revenge the 2013 final loss, India will look forward to doubling their cup tally.

SAFF U-15 Championship Final: India Vs Nepal, 3:00 PM Kick-Off