Cameroon book final berth, take India along

Cameroon did the hosts a favour, with their 3-1 win over Maldives on Wednesday ensuring that the African side will make it to the final of the Nehru Cup along with India. A brace by Kingue Mpondo and a goal from the spot by Ebanga Bertin ensured Cameroon won comfortably in the end, though Maldives had done well to equalise at 1-1 midway through the first half.

With this victory, Cameroon is on par with India at seven points and both sides have a match in hand. Maldives are on six points having played all their games while Syria and Nepal are on a point each from three games.

Maldives needed to win the match to ensure that they had a chance to make it to the final, but it was Cameroon that made the early breakthrough, when Kologny Merime volleyed one back to Mpondo in the box, who struck it home in the 11th minute. Maldives found a way back in the match when Abdul Ghani Karim equalised in the 26th minute, chipping the ball in amidst a mix-up at the Cameroon goal.

Ashu Tambe dominated the right flank, and was a threat each time he ran with the ball and his efforts eventually paid off when he earned his side a corner. Mpondo headed in Makon Thierry's curling corner in the 40th minute to put Cameroon ahead once more. Maldives' efforts to get one back to keep their Cup chances alive saw Ali Ashadh being sent off a minute after the break when he denied Cameroon a clear goal scoring opportunity.

Ebanga Bertin fired the ensuing penalty into the top right corner to put Cameroon two goals up. Though Cameroon looked to make the numerical advantage count, Maldives did not concede any more.

The loss however knocked them out of the tournament.

ALSO READ

The perfect goodbye

Wayne Rooney out of Sir Alex Ferguson's farewell game

Fernando Alonso turns up the heat with Spanish Grand Prix win

IPL 2013: Rajasthan Royals keep the fortress intact