Mumbai: India warmed up nicely for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Kyrgyzstan as they outclassed lower-ranked Nepal 2-0 in an international football friendly game played here Tuesday.
India dominated most part of the game but had to wait till the 15th minute of the second half to take the lead when defender Sandesh Jhingan found the target.
Another strike, with 11 minutes left for the final whistle, by hardworking midfielder Jeje Lalpekhlua sealed Nepal’s fate and gave the hosts a comfortable margin of victory.
The game was used by Indian chief coach Stephen Constantine to try out various players in the absence of some key men, including star striker Sunil Chhetri who was rested for the game.
India fluffed quite a few chances and should have been three goals up in the first half had Robin Singh showed better finishing prowess. He was ultimately replaced in the second half.
The hosts, however were also lucky when at the stroke of halftime Nepal striker Nawayug Shreshta failed to put the ball into an empty goal after Indian custodian and captain Gurpreet Sandhu had charged out of his line.
India started the game Holicharan Narzary taking over Chhetri’s responsibility upfront. However, he failed to combine properly with Robin and was also replaced by Seityasen Singh midway into the second half.
India also commenced the game without key medio Eugeneson Lyngdoh but he had to be brought in once Rowlinson Borges left the field after having picked an injury.
It was Borges who provided Robin with his first chance with a through pass down the middle which the tall striker booted wide of the post from the left side in the 10th minute. Then between the 20th and 25th minutes, Robin wasted two more gilt-edged chances with the passes coming from Lyngdoh.
The Indians attacked with vigour in the second session and were rewarded with a goal midway into the session with Jhingan’s shot going in off the underside of the bar.
Nepal’s citadel fell again under the sustained spell of pressure from the Indians with Lalpekhlua slotting home a pass from the left by Mohammed Rafique in the 79th minute.
PTI
