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India recovered from a slow start to the tournament to eventually beat Nepal 3-0 in the summit clash on Sunday, winning their eighth SAFF title in the process.
Talismanic skipper Sunil Chhetri played a pivotal role in India's eighth SAFF Championships title triumph by striking five goals but he credited the young brigade for team's victory.
The 37-year-old Chhetri, Indian football's torch bearer for the last 10 years, went past legendary Pele and equalled Lionel Messi when he scored the team's opener — and his 80th goal — against Nepal in the summit clash on Saturday.
Chhetri, who scored five out of India's eight goals, was all praise of the other two Indian goalscorers on Saturday — Suresh Singh and Sahal Abdul Samad.
Head coach Igor Stimac, who was banned from the dugout in the summit clash after being red carded in the earlier league match against Maldives, let the players take centrestage.
"The boys have done it," he quipped.
Stimac became the third foreign coach after Jiri Pesek (1993) and Stephen Constantine (2015) to clinch the title with the Indian team.
The Blue Tigers dedicated the trophy to their two injured teammates — Farukh Choudhary, and Brandon Fernandes, who weren't able to travel to the ground.
While Mandar Rao Dessai and Glan Martins carried Brandon's jersey with them, Rahul Bheke preferred to wear Farukh's jersey even at the victory podium.
"Farukh and Brandon are very much here, and a part of this triumph. Their contribution in this Championship will never go unnoticed," Bheke said.
"I wore Farukh's jersey as I wanted him to be with us during the trophy celebrations.
With the title win, India extended their domination in the regional tournament. Saturday's final was the 12th for India in 13 editions.
The players leave for Bengaluru Sunday night from where they will join their respective clubs for the Indian Super League (ISL).
However, the U-23 players, including goalkeeper Moirangthem Dheeraj Singh, will stay back in Bengaluru for a couple of days before flying to Dubai for the AFC U-23 Qualifiers on 20 October.