SAFF Cup: Robin Singh hands India full points

Action from the India vs Sri Lanka SAFF Cup Group A match in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. The hosts won 2-0. — PTI

Robin Singh scored a second half brace as India defeated Sri Lanka 2-0 to top Group A of the SAFF Cup tournament at the Greenfield Stadium here on Friday. The result diminished Nepal’s chances of reaching the semi-finals as they play the hosts in the final group match on Sunday.

India began on a higher gear and Sunil Chhetri had a tame header inside five minutes on a cross from Pritam Kotal. Soon after Jeje was denied in a one-on-one situation by Sri Lanka goalkeeper Sujan Perera, after the striker had outmuscled Hettaiarachchi to be through.

The islanders defended deep and Johar Zarwan was a lonely man in India’s half. Jeje was denied again as Chalana Chameera made a vital block as he stretched on a long diagonal from Deepak Mondal.

The Lankan defence frustrated the hosts and held tight for long periods. Asikur Rahuman got a body block on Chhetri after the India skipper had made his way to a shooting position from wide left.

The hosts had a series of short corners and Eugeneson Lyngdoh curled a left-footer from the byline across the goal mouth. Perera was booked for time wasting while his counterpart Gurpreet Sandhu went for occasional strolls outside his box.

Despite the wave of attacks, India failed to break the deadlock and at half time, coach Stephen Constantine was forced to make a change. Rowlin Borges replaced Pranoy Halder.

Robin broke the stalemate with a left foot drive six minutes after the restart. The Bengaluru lad stepped back into position as Chhetri found his way past two defenders for a pull-back. He nearly doubled the lead in the next minute only for Perera to make a low diving save.

The Lankan custodian showed sharp reflexes to parry a Jeje header from six yards. But he was caught out of position as India scored the second goal with a touch of fortune.

Robin had scuffed his angled shot into the left corner but Rahuman raced and turned it into his own net on an attempted clearance. The striker was credited with the goal but was injured in the process.