SAFF Championships scenarios

Despite the win, India have to beat Maldives in their last game to have a chance of reaching the final. Any other result and they will be out.

FT: Nepal 0-1 India

Massive three points for India that get the Blue Tigers back in the reckoning for a place in the final. India were made to work hard for it but Sunil Chhetri (who else) with the winner eight minutes from time. India dominated the game from start to finish and deserved their victory.

90+1’ Nepal 0-1 India

Three minutes added on.

90’ Nepal 0-1 India

A brilliant run from Arya but his shot is too weak. Nepal are having a right go now.

86’ Nepal 0-1 India

CHANCE! Nepal create space for shot and Anjan Bista isn’t far away. India need to concentrate.

82’ Nepal 0-1 India

GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL! SUNIL CHHETRI! Chhetri with a poacher’s goal as he fires home a brilliantly directed header from Farukh Choudhary. India lead.

80’ Nepal 0-0 India

ANOTHER CHANCE! Chhetri has a free header inside the box but he heads straight into the ground. The Indian captain has had a few chances that he’s not taken today.

77’ Nepal 0-0 India

CHANCE! First it’s Sunil Chhetri who misses his header and then Subhasish Bose heads the looping ball straight to Limbu. That was a chance there. Chhetri is having an off day in front of goal.

72’ Nepal 0-0 India

A rare opening for India as Anjan Bista threatens to get behind the Indian defence but Pritam Kotal defends well but at an expense of a corner.

63’ Nepal 0-0 India

Good move from India as Udanta Singh runs past the Nepal left-back to deliver a cross. But Brandon’s shot is blocked. India have certainly upped the intensity and Nepal are being drawn into some last-ditch defending.

63’ Nepal 0-0 India

Good move from India as Udanta Singh runs past the Nepal left-back to deliver a cross. But Brandon’s shot is blocked. India have certainly upped the intensity and Nepal are being drawn into some last-ditch defending.

61’ Nepal 0-0 India

Double change from India. Udanta Singh has come on for Manvir Singh and Anirudh Thapa has replaced Suresh Singh Wangjam

57’ Nepal 0-0 India

WHAT A SAVE! Yasir with an inch-perfect cross to find Manvit Singh whose header is superbly saved by Limbu.

55’ Nepal 0-0 India

Chhetri is fouled after a quick turn and India have a free-kick in a dangerous area but Brandon Fernandes fires just over. India have pushed slightly higher in the second half and that has forced Nepal to sit deeper.

53’ Nepal 0-0 India

A good run from Yasir Mohammad who cuts in from the left hand side but his final shot is weak and Nepal goalkeeper Kiran Kumar Limbu collects comfortably.

46’ Nepal 0-0 India

Second half begins. No changes for India but Anjan Bista has come on for Nepal.

10:25 pm: Updates from Bahrain

A good evening’s work for Thomas Dennerby’s side as they thump Bahrain 5-0.

HT: Nepal 0-0 India

This has probably been India’s best half at the #SAFFChampionship but it’s still not good enough to break down Nepal. Manvir and Chhetri’s movement have caused Nepal a few problems at times but India haven’t been able to engage the two forwards often.

HT: Nepal 0-0 India

India have dominated the game, bossing the possession and restricting Nepal to very few counter-attacks but have created just one clear-cut chance that was surprisingly missed by Sunil Chhetri, their most reliable scorer. It has been an improved show from Igor Stimac’s men but still not good as it stands to have them in front against Nepal. Big second half to follow.

43’ Nepal 0-0 India

CHANCE! India take the long route to Chhetri who heads it in Manvir’s path but the Indian striker fails to control the ball and the chance is gone. Nepal were opened up there.

33’ Nepal 0-0 India

WHAT A CHANCE! And it also fell to the right man. Sunil Chhetri fails to tap in in virtually an open goal. He was almost surprised that the ball got to him. Nepal completely switching off at the back there. Good move from India. Need to do this consistently and the goals will come.

10:03 pm: Updates from Bahrain

It’s 5-0 to India now. Manisha and Sanju have added to India’s score in the second half.

23’ Nepal 0-0 India

Quarter of the game gone and there have been no chances for either team. It is a much livelier game than the Sri Lanka game as Nepal seem to have an attacking outlet but have hardly threatened in the game. India will all the possession but no penetration.

19’ Nepal 0-0 India

Chhetri makes a run behind the Nepal defence that is picked out well by the Indian defender, the Indian captain wins a corner. Great display of physicality from the Indian captain to get away from his marker.

14’ Nepal 0-0 India

Brandon loses the ball in the dangerous area and Nepal break in numbers as they have been set up to do but great awareness from Suresh Wangjam who stops the counter cleanly. There have been a few promising moments for Nepal on offensive transitions. India need to be careful.

7’ Nepal 0-0 India

Manvir SIngh has started more centrally and India are constantly trying to find him. So far his hold-up play hasn’t been upto the mark but India’s passing has been much quicker and sharper so far than the first two matches.

3’ Nepal 0-0 India

Early corner for India but Brandon’s delivery is poor and is cleared by the first man. The Indians are yet to settle into this one.

1’ Nepal 0-0 India

KICK OFF! The game is underway in Male.

9:30 pm: Almost time for kick-off

National anthems done and it’s almost time for the action to begin.

9:30 pm: Updates from Bahrain

A great half for India

9:15 pm: Can India add to their stellar record against Nepal?

Nepal vs India Head-to-Head stats

Matches  Wins Draws Losses
Nepal 20 2 4 14
India 20 14 4 2

9:08 pm: Goals galore in Bahrain

Indian women’s team are 3-0 up against Bahrain in the 34th minute as Indumathi adds a third goal for Thomas Dennerby’s side.

9:05pm: Qualification scenarios for India

8:56 pm: TEAM NEWS - Stimac makes four changes

The Croatian has made changes in midfield where Lalengmawia and Brandon Fernandes have returned. Manvir Singh and Yasir Mohammad also come back.

India XI: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Subhasish Bose, Mandar Rao Dessai, Lalengmawia, Brandon Fernandes, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Manvir Singh, Yasir Mohammad, Sunil Chhetri (C).

8:55 pm: Updates from Bahrain

Another goal for India and this time it’s Pyari Xaxa on the scoresheet. India have doubled the lead.

8:50 pm: Updates from Bahrain

We will also have one eye on the Indian women’s team that is in action against Bahrain in an international friendly. We can only bring you major updates as there is no telecast for the match in India.

Some good news to start as Sarita has given India the lead in that game in the 13th minute. Perfect start for Thomas Dennerby’s side.

Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of the Indian men’s football team’s match against Nepal in the SAFF Championship in Male, Maldives. After two disappointing draws in the first two matches against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka it’s a crunch game for Sunil Chhetri and Co who must avoid defeat to stay in contention for a place in the final. Can India record their first win of the tournament? Stick around for Live updates.