The opening game of the SAFF Suzuki Cup between the two Group A side’s Nepal and Sri Lanka at the Trivandrum International Stadium, Kerala saw the Lankans come out victorious. Mohammed Rifnas was the hero of the game as his late 94th minute winner earned three points for Sampath Perera’s side, as they edged closer to the semi-finals.
Nepal head coach Patrick Aussems started the game with a 4-3-3 formation that saw Anil Gurung, Anjan Bisht and Bimal Magar start upfront. Sri Lanka on the other hand played a more defensive setup, packing their midfield with a five man wall.
It was the side in blue that had the first attempt on goal inside the opening minute of the game, but Bimal’s header was well saved by the Sri Lankan custodian. Minutes later Sri Lanka had a chance of their own. Kavindu Ishan played in a glorius ball into the center of the box but none of Sri Lankan players could get a touch.
In the 12th minute Nepal came close again. Rohit Chand headed in the ball from a fine cross played in from the left but Sujan Perriera made a great save to parry the ball away. The team in maroon though dominated the game from then on and continued to have the majority of the possession.
The Lankans found space on the left wing and Madhusudan Silva ran the length of the pitch to put the cross into the path of Anjan, but the striker was flagged offside. The teenager moments later had another shot on goal but his effort from distance saw the ball land straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.
The teams headed into the break with the scoreline reading goal-less.
Nepal started the second-half swiftly with Bimal playing a glorious cross Anjan but the forward took a tumble right before shooting.
In the 54th minute Hemant Gurung’s perfect long cross found Rohit Chand free on goal, but his resulting header lost it’s accuracy and went wide. In the 70th minute, Rizwan’s freekick saw the ball land into the feet of Kiran but his effort landed straight into the hands of the Nepalese goalkeeper.
With seven minutes left in the clock, Jagajeeth Srestha had a chance from distance but his effort from 30-yards out saw the ball hit the side netting. But against the run of play, Sri Lanka took the lead with a minute left of added time.
Mohammed Rifnas was the hero as he calmly slotted the ball in from close range after taking advantage of the un-organised Nepal defense. That was the final kick of the game as the Lankans moved top of the Group A.
Source: Goal.com
