“Red Snappers” Maldives are looking to maintain a level head when they take on defending champions India in the second semi-final of the Saff Championship at the Dasarath Stadium Kathmandu today.
Circumstances seem to favour Maldives as Indian captain Sunil Chhetri will be absent for the all-important game after receiving yellow cards in successive matches. Furthermore, India’s unconvincing form will act as a spur to Ali Ashfaq and his men.
While Maldives swatted Sri Lanka in a Saff record 10-0 win, followed up with a devastating 8-2 defeat of Bhutan and finished with a 0-0 draw with Afghanistan, India have been far less impressive. They defeated Pakistan due to an own goal, drew with Bangladesh courtesy of an extra-time goal and fell to hosts Nepal 1-2 to just squeeze into out of the group stages.
History, however, favours India. The defending champions have won their last three matches against Maldives, including a 3-1 win the last Saff’s semi-finals in New Delhi, 2011 and a 5-1 result at the Dasarath Stadium in 1997 that saw India lift the title in 1997.
Thought group stage results favour Maldives to make it through to the fianl, the men from the island nation will not be taking anything for granted and looking to put forth their best. Both Sri Lanka and Bhutan were reduced to 10 men in their respective group games against the semi-finalists, while the match against Afghanistan served as a mere formality.
While regular skipper Ali Ashfaq, who has scored 10 goals in the competition so far, is read to take on his familiar role as team leader, Gourmangi Singh is expected to take Chhetri’s arm-ban for the encounter. Gourmangi, with 84 international caps, is the most experienced player in the Indian side.
Maldives’ coach, Hungarian Istivan Urbanyi, remained cautious ahead of the match. “We can use the 2011 semi-final and even the 2009 Saff Championship Final as a motivation, but that is history now and so is the group stage. We have scored 18 goals in the group stage and it’s good for confidence, but even that is in the past now. We have to focus on the present and prepare ourselves for India. They are a strong team,” said Urbanyi.
Wim Koevermans, India’s Dutch coach, was looking to rely on teamwork for the final. “With perfect teamwork and spirit, any obstacle any obstacle can be crossed. We are a team and we remain united for glory in the most important match, as it’s a knock-out situation,” he declared.