India under-23 beat Nepal to enter SAFF Cup semis

DHAKA - India under-23 booked a semi-final berth in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup with an unimpressive 1-0 win over Nepal in a Group A match here Monday.

A self goal in the 17th minute by goalkeeper Bikash Malla, who tried to clear the ball after seeing an onrushing Jibon Singh, handed India their second consecutive win at the Bangabandhu Stadium.

India, fielding an under-23 team in the tournament, made a slow start and the lucky lead spurred them to make some good moves in the first half.

But Nepal also had their fair share of chances to come back into the game. Anil Gurung had only goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya to clear but he missed an easy header in the 34th minute.

Three minutes later, it was India’s chance and captain Sushil Singh’s well directed header of Joaquim Abranches’ cross was saved well by Malla.

Bhattacharya had a busy day under the bar and thwarted as many as three shots to keep the scoreline in India’s favour.

India came out with a better game plan in the second half with substitute Zeze Lalpeklua, who scored the winner in the last match, showing flashes of brilliance.