We look at how some of the stats before the grand finale of the SAFF Suzuki Cup between The Maldives and India.

Road to Final:

Maldives:

Maldives 0-0 Sri Lanka

India 2-0 Maldives

Nepal 0-3 Maldives

Maldives started the tournaments as one of the favorites. Without several of their star players including SAFF greatest all time scorer Ali Ashfaq (Dhagandey), Maldives remains hopeful though. With the head coach Petar Segrt already set his sights on the World Cup. Maldives had a poor start to the tournament. First unable to win against Sri Lanka and then losing to India. Maldives only entered the semi-final at a toss of a coin. Maldives and Sri Lanka finished level on points and goal difference. In the semi-final it was a different story. Segrt's boys beat Nepal 3-0 and restored the Nations pride and the confidence in their team. Now Maldives is united and fully behind the team. Even though India is slight favorites Maldives is very hopeful of a repeat of their feat of 2008 when they beat India to lift the SAFF Championships

India:

India 2-0 Sri Lanka

India 2-0 Maldives

India 3-1 Pakistan

In this region India is always the favorites. This year around India sent their youngest team, a mixture of their under 23's, under 19's and even four boys from their under 17 team that played in the Under 17 World Cup, coach Stephen Constantine is hopeful. Though he say's Maldives deserves respect and shown their intent by beating Nepal 3-0, India has already beaten Maldives in the group stage. The defending champions looked a strong unit throughout the tournament. The blues have only conceded one goal in three games and are a force in all aspects of the game. India qualified to the finals by outclassing the surprise pack of this championship, Pakistan 3-1. The stage is set, only Maldives are in India's way to now to defend their title.

Though India is slight favorites to defend their title, BoalhaMV believes that anything can happen in this game. Maldives form has changed from their poor showing in the group stages. We believe Maldives might just edge India to lift the SAFF Cup for the first time since 2008.