Arnab Kumar Mondal scored the all important goal for the six-time finalist with only five minutes before the end of regulation time in the encounter marred by refereeing controversy. [break]
Mondal struck a quick shot from the inner edge of the area, collecting a rebounder from Maldives player in his attempt to clear the corner taken by Mehtab Hossain to the delight of the Indian crowd. India was without its skipper and key forward Sunil Chhetri due to a match suspension.
Earlier, controversial referee decision came in the 74th after record holder goal scorer and Maldives skipper Ali Asfaq was booked. He was tackled in the area by India custodian Subrata Paul in his run to collect back pass of Nirmal Chhetri to the golavesman. Jordanian referee IMT Makhadmeh flashed yellow card to 10 goal scorer of the tournament for falling deliberately, though video replays showed that he was tackled without ball on foot by Paul.
"For me it was a penalty and you don´t have to kill a player for penalty," said Maldives coach Urbanyi Istavan Bela expressing dissatisfaction at the referee decision.
The result left four-time finalist and the 2008 champion crashing out of the Championship. In the last edition too, Maldives were knocked out 3-1 from the semifinal by India.
Maldives, which dominated the match in the first half and early moments of the second half, made more than half a dozen attempts on goal but failed to score. India resorted to defensive style of play throughout the match and kept Maldives forward Asfaq under tight marking.
Maldives coach Bela also accused India of playing mind game. "India played mind game and we also failed to play our real game. They played defensively throughout the match. I want to congratulate India for making it to the final with such an impressive performance," said the Hungarian.
"I congratulate the players. It was a good tournament and we made history scoring 10 goals in the event," said Bela referring to the goals scored by Ali who netted six goals against Sri Lanka and four against Bhutan. His goals surpassed the record of highest numbers of goals in SAFF as well as highest number of goals in a single match. Meanwhile, Maldives set the record of highest margin win following 10-0 rout of Sri Lanka.
India´s Dutch coach Win Koevermans opined that India came up with real game against Maldives. "I am proud of my boys today, they showed how good we could be," said Kovermans labeling themselves as the deserved winners. "It is how they play without pressure. They were defensively patient."
Regarding mind game, the Dutch said, "I don´t care what others say. Football is not played with only heart, but also with mind. You have to be patient and that´s what we did."
Earlier in the first half, India could not create even single attractive chance as Maldives tested Indian custodian Paul in the very second minute with a 25-yard freekick. In the 28th, the glovesman prevented Asfaq´s curling freekick from the left flank.
India created its first threatening move at Maldives post in the first minute of the second half. But custodian Imran Mohamed gripped Francisco Fernandes´ tight angle shot after beating past three defenders. Maldives replied four minutes later with Ahamed Niyaz volleying in from the edge forcing a diving save from custodian Paul. Paul prevented Mohamad Umari in the 74th and 80th.
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