India defeated Maldives 2-0 to book a semi-final clash with Pakistan in the SAFF Cup. The semi-final which will be the first official meeting of the two teams after a gap of five years.
The last time the two teams had met in an official match, was also in the SAFF Cup in Kathmandu in September 2013. India had won 1-0 on that occasion.
On Sunday, maiden International goals from Nikhil Poojary and Manvir Singh helped India finish on pole position in Group B on six points.
Nikhil could have scored the opener in the 11th minute but despite getting all the power behind his header off a Anirudh Thapa cross, it sailed over.
Nikhil and Lallianzuala Chhangte were constantly swapping positions on the wings and that stretched the rival defence. India eventually surged into the lead in the 36th minute. Nikhil played a one-two with Farukh and as the rival defender deflected the ball into his path, Poojary pounced on the loose ball and placed it past the rival goalkeeper Mohamed Faisal.
Manvir doubled the lead almost at the stroke of half-time. Thapa, with a rival midfielder shadowing him, managed to play a pass for Manvir who sidestepped the onrushing Faisal and pushed it in.
Maldives, meanwhile, continued to look to reduce the margin and had not Jerry Lalrinzuala intercepted in time in the 73rd minute, they could have had a shot at the Indian goal.
In the 78th minute an alert Vishal Kaith was quick to come off his line to clear in time. Kaith’s reflexes allowed India to maintain a clean sheet, the lanky custodian coming up with a couple of saves in the last five minutes.