India settled for a Goalless Draw against Nepal

Tuesday, August 28, 2012 Report by Rajarshi Ghosh

After two convincing win India today settled for a goalless draw against Nepal in their third match of Nehru Cup at the Jawaharlal Stadium on Tuesday.

Needing a win to seal a place in the final for the third time in a row, India showed intent but could never find the much-needed goal against a side that fought bravely to hold the host.

India, who plays their last game against Cameroon on Friday, will have to wait and see Wednesday's match between Maldives and Cameroon. A win for Maldives mean India will have to beat Cameroon to make to the final. If Cameroon wins then India will be in final.

National Coach Wim Koevermans made two changes to the side that beat Maldives three days back. While injured Nirmal Chhetri was replaced by Denzil Franco, Anthony Pereira got his first start of the tournament in place of Sanju Pradhan.

On a wet pitch after heavy downpour delayed the kickoff to half an hour, Nepal adjusted to the conditions better than India. Though India tried hard to score the much needed goal, but it was Nepal who were the better team today.

India had a serious chance of breaking the deadlock towards the end. But it was due to goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong's brilliant effort against Robin Singh's power-packed volley that ensured Nepal shared the honours.

Kiran Chemjong of Nepal was adjudged Man of the Match.

INDIA: Subrata Pal; Denzil Franco, Gourmangi Singh, Raju Gaikwad, Syed Rahim Nabi; Clifford Miranda (Robin Singh), Mehtab Hossain, Lenny Rodrigues (Jewel Raja), Anthony Pereira; Francis Fernandes; Sunil Chhetri