SAFF Cup, India vs Sri Lanka as it happened: Kuruniyan and Chhangte give Constantine’s men the win

For the umpteenth time this year, India defeat Sri Lanka. Many times on the cricket pitch and now on the football field.

Stephen Constantine’s Blue cubs (with the exception of Sumeet Passi who’s the oldest, surprise, surprise!) take on Maldives next on the 9th.

Full-time and it’s 2-0 to India.

Ashique Kuruniyan’s finish was stroked past the Sri Lankan keeper shortly after half-time and Lallinzuala Chhangte’s cross evaded everybody, doubling India’s lead.

Stephen Constantine’s men far from convincing, but he’ll take the win.

90’: India 2-0 Sri Lanka

Three minutes left and India have been stroking the ball about for some-time now.

88’: India 2-0 Sri Lanka

Farukh Choudhary with a ‘fascinating’ header. This ‘fascinating’ header is saved by the Sri Lankan keeper.

For Indian football afficionados, DSport’s telecast plus the below-mentioned handle’s tweeting is sweet bliss.

83’: India 2-0 Sri Lanka

Manvir with a turn and shot but Sujan Perera goes low and saves it. Meanwhile, Indian football’s handle wants viewers to have pity on Farukh Choudhary for a chance that he, the striker missed.

78’: India 2-0 Sri Lanka

Anirudh Thapa goes off, to be replaced by Vinit Rai. Meanwhile, Indian football’s official handle sums the game pretty well.

76’: India 2-0 Sri Lanka

Time for another water break. India have another 15 minutes to preserve a two-goal lead.

71’: India 2-0 Sri Lanka

Farukh with a long ball and his attempted shot at goal hits the crossbar. Manvir Singh with the rebound but he drills a Passi-esque shot into the ground.

69’: India 2-0 Sri Lanka

Sumeet Passi goes off, as Manvir Singh comes on. The Englishman pulls the plug on Passi’s evening with a heavy heart.

65’: India 2-0 Sri Lanka

A curious part of DSport’s broadcast. Anyone tuning in right now would have to guess the score and time. Everyone watching is annoyed, including the AIFF’s Media Manager.

61’: India 2-0 Sri Lanka

Warakogoda goes into the referee’s book, having taken out Chhangte with a strong tackle. India have a free-kick which is cleared.

57’: India 2-0 Sri Lanka

Goal scorer Kuruniyan is taken off, having been yellow carded earlier. Nikhil Poojary takes his place.

51’: India 2-0 Sri Lanka

Chhangte receives the ball from Anirudh Thapa but his intended cross to Sumeet Passi is cleared by the Sri Lankan defence.

47’: GOAALLL!! India 2-0 Sri Lanka

India double their lead! Chhangte from the left swings a cross in, it evades everybody and goes into the net.

46’: India 1-0 Sri Lanka

The second half is underway!

Half-time and it’s 1-0 to India.

They started strongly and took the lead through Ashique Kuruniyan just after the half-hour mark. The Sri Lankan team yet to muster a clear cut chance on the Indian goal.

38’: India 1-0 Sri Lanka

Chhangte with another chance, but skies it. The chances falling thick and fast to the Indian attackers now. Earlier, Kuruniyan had run through on goal and finished it smartly past the keeper for his first-ever senior international goal.

35’: GOAAALLL!!! India 1-0 Sri Lanka

Ashique Kuruniyan gives India the lead.

30’: India 0-0 Sri Lanka

The heat means that the players are forced into a water break. India are yet to open their account but they have looked the more likelier to score.

28’: India 0-0 Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s Asikur Rahuman Mohamed Alawadeen shown a yellow card for that challenge! Even stevens at this point

25’: India 0-0 Sri Lanka

Thapa is hacked down. The young midfielder looks dazed but looks set to continue.

18’: India 0-0 Sri Lanka

Yellow card for Sarthak Golui. He commits a foul on Sajith Kumara.

13’: India 0-0 Sri Lanka

CHANCE!! Chhangte with a glorious opportunity from Bose’s ball but the Delhi attacker blows the header.

11’: India 0-0 Sri Lanka

Anirudh Thapa with a free-kick directly into the opposition goalie’s hands.

4’: India 0-0 Sri Lanka

Ashique passes the ball to Sumeet Passi, who can’t get a touch to the ball.

6:30 pm: India 0-0 Sri Lanka

We have kick-off at the Bangabandhu Stadium!

6:25 pm: It looks like India are opting for a 4-4-2 formation with Sumeet Passi and Farukh Chowdhury up top. Vishal Kaith will be India’s custodian tonight.

Welcome to the Field’s live coverage of India versus Sri Lanka.

India are set to take the field for the opener of their SAFF Cup campaign against their neighbours. Stephen Constantine has opted for a youthful side, with Subhasish Bose as captain.