Defending champions India sealed a final date with Afghanistan after pipping Maldives to a narrow 1-0 win in the second semi-final at the 10th SAFF Championship in Kathmandu on Monday.
Centre-back Arnab Mondal bagged the all-important winning goal in the 86th minute from a corner to inspire his side to the final in a repeat of the previous edition in 2011 when hosts India outclassed Afghanistan 4-0 to clinch their sixth SAFF title.
Maldives arrived to the last four clash as the team of the tournament after scoring 18 goals in just two matches while India overcame a major struggle before sealing their semi-final place.
The feisty encounter turned sour when Maldives’ Ali Umar and Mohamed Rasheed were shown red cards by Jordanian referee Mohammad Tumah after the final whistle.
Tumah was the talking point of the game after he penalised Ali Ashfaq with a yellow card instead of awarding a genuine penalty in favour of Maldives in the 74th minute.
Earlier, Bangladesh coach Lodewijk de Kruif also blamed the Jordanian referee during their second group stage match against India on September 3.
By turning down the penalty appeal against India, Tumah once again attracted the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
In the 72nd minute of the game, India almost conceded a spot-kick when goalkeeper Subrata Paul brought down Maldives skipper Ashfaq. Ashfaq tried to go round Paul when the custodian hacked him down.
However, instead of awarding a penalty, Tumah punished Ashfaq with a yellow card for a dive.
The final will take place at the Dasharath Rangashala Stadium in Kathmandu on Wednesday.
-With New Age input
