India clinched the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship for eighth time defeating Nepal 3-0 in Male last night. Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri scored the first goal of the match in 49th minute when he headed in Pritam Kotal’s lofted pass. The 37-year-old Indian captain equalled the iconic footballer Lionel Messi with his 80th international strike and became the second highest goal-scorer in international football among active players. Suresh Singh Wangjam scored the second goal minutes after Chhetri’s strike. Sahal Abdul Samad further increases India’s lead by scoring the third goal just 2 minutes before ending the game.
India remained undefeated in this edition, having earlier played out draws with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and then beating Nepal and Maldives.
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