India lift SAFF Championship title beating Afghanistan in the final

New Delhi, Dec 12 (PTI) India pumped in four goals in the last 20 minutes with a controversial penalty triggering a 4-0 rout of Afghanistan in an ill-tempered summit clash as the home side lifted the SAFF Championship for the sixth time here on Sunday. Star striker Sunil Chhetri put defending champions India ahead when he converted from the spot in the 71st minute in controversial circumstances. The other three goals were scored by Clifford Miranda (79th), Jeje Lalpekhula (80th) and Sushil Singh (injury time) after Afghanistan were reduced to 10 men following the marching orders by the referee on Afghanistan goalkeeper Hameedullah Yousefzari. The whole drama started as soon as the referee Sukhbir Singh from Singapore awarded a penalty after Jeje was brought down by Afghanistan central defender Faisal Safa. The decision was questionable but Afghanistan goalkeeper Hameedullah Yousefzari took things in his own hand by pushing the referee. The result was a red card which forced the visitors to play with 10 men for the last 20 minutes at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, which witnessed a turnout of about 5,000 spectators, the highest in the tournament. Afghanistan, who were playing in their maiden final, lost their bearings once their goalkeeper was sent off and India capitalised the advantage to the full. Afghan coach, Yousef Kargar, was in a quandary as he had to sacrifice a regular player to accommodate his reserve goalkeeper. He brought in reserve goalkeeper Bashir Ahmad at the expense of winger Ghulam Hoddein. Winners India received a prize purse of USD 50,000 while Afghanistan took home USD 25,000. Chhetri finished the tournament with seven goals, the most by any player in this edition of the regional tournament. He was also adjudged player of the match and tournament. India retained their reputation of being a regional powerhouse intact by lifting the title but they were left gasping for their breath initially. PTI