New Delhi: Seeking to win their first tournament post the Bhaichung Bhutia era, the in-form Sunil Chhetri will be the cynosure of all eyes as India prepare to take on surprise package Afghanistan in the final of the SAFF Championship here on Sunday.
While five-time defending champions India will look to extend their domination in the regional tournament, Afghanistan will be out to prove that their successful run to the title clash was not a flash in the pan.
India were undoubtedly the better of the two sides in their last-four clash with Maldives and deserved the 3-1 verdict, while the Afghans will be coming off an ill-tempered semifinal match against Nepal.
Afghanistan managed to outslug the opposition 1-0 after the match went into extra time.
Moments after the humdinger against Nepal, coach Yousef Kargar said he has a plan up his sleeve, but to unsettle India, his two poachers, Belal Arezou and Senjar Ahmadi, will have to be at their striking best.
With six goals, Arezou is the tournament’s leading scorer along with Chhetri. And the battle between Chhetri and Arezou will certainly form a fascinating sub plot at the beautiful Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here.
With JN stadium set to host the bulk of international matches in the next couple of years, Savio Medeira’s boys would not mind a title win in their first tournament at the multi-discipline stadium. (PTI)