India clinched the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship title dethroning Afghanistan by 2-1 goals in the final at the Trivandrum International Stadium in Kerala, India on Sunday.
In the high voltage South Asian soccer final, Jeje Lalpekhula and Sunil Chetri scored one goal each for the winners while Zubayr Amiri scored the consolation goal for the losers.
After the barren first half, Zubayr Amiri broke the deadlock putting Afghanistan ahead in the 70th minute, 1-0.
Captain Faysal Shayesteh slid the ball into the path of Zubayr Amiri who converted correctly from inside the box.
Jeje Lalpekhula restored the parity for India in the 72nd minute, 1-1.
The match was stuck 1-1 in the stipulated 90 minute time.
Sunil Chetri sealed the win for India scoring one in the 101st minute of the additional time, utilising a quick free kick pass off Jeje Lalpekhlua, 2-1.
With this feat, India clinched the title for the seventh time.
Afghanistan clinched the last edition title, maiden for the Afghan, of the meet dehorning six-time champions India by 2-0 goals.
Afghanistan confirmed the final berth, for the third time in a row, eliminating lowly Sri Lanka by 5-0 goals in the semifinal while India sidelined the Maldives with a 3-2 goals victory to ensure their meet final.
However, Bangladesh made an early exit from the tournament losing to the Maldives by 1-3 goals and conceding a humiliating 0-4 goals defeat to defending champion Afghanistan in the group stage.
Bangladesh wrapped up their journey with a 3-0 victory over all-loser Bhutan.
