Agencies
Guwahati
Nepal came from behind to beat India 2-1 in the South Asian Games Men’s football final at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati on Monday evening.
The India U-23 side got off to a fine start, settling in quickly and putting the opposition under pressure. A corner-kick in the sixth minute saw Holicharan Narzary rise highest to meet it but his header was saved by Bikesh Kuthu between the sticks.
Udanta Singh was proving to be a real threat down the right flank and beat Man Bahadur time and again with his pace. The Bengaluru FC player managed to find the back of the net with a header but it was swiftly ruled out for offside.
India continued to dominate proceedings and Rowlin Borges’ delivery from a corner in the 16th minute was directed just wide by Sumeet Passi in the middle.
Udanta couldn’t be kept quiet though and in the 31st minute, the winger did well to win a penalty. Narzary stepped up to the plate and slotted his effort away to give India the lead.
In first-half stoppage time, Passi had another header off target when he should’ve at least worked the keeper given that he was left unmarked. The teams went into the break with the score at 1-0 in favour of the Indians.
The second period got off to a slow start but Nepal came to life in the 67th minute having grabbed an equaliser from a free-kick.
They then got their noses ahead, scoring six minutes later to take a 2-1 lead and put India under pressure.
Bikramjit Singh had a header in the 75th minute but it was straight at the keeper. Pass’ shot soon after failed to find the target.
With ten minutes of regulation time to play, Borges missed a glorious opportunity to restore parity as Nepal survived a few nervous moments.
