Sunil Chhetri brace helps India cross first hurdle

In 4 days’ time Sunil Chhetri will full 17 years in worldwide soccer. The 37-year-old nonetheless stays unmatched when it comes to skill-set and starvation. He scored twice in India’s 2-0 win over Cambodia of their opening recreation of the Asian Cup Group D qualifiers, taking his worldwide targets depend to 82. Just going by the laborious numbers, Chhetri is 4 shy of Lionel Messi’s tally of 86.

Not solely did he lead with aplomb, the veteran marksman additionally confirmed the fervour of a 17-year-old, who minimize his tooth in big-time soccer for Mohun Bagan in 2002. When Liston Colaco tried a shot from nicely exterior the world as an alternative of trying to find a greater possibility, his captain berated him. When the referee booked him for a excessive problem, Chhetri went ballistic at his midfielders for not closing down the Cambodian participant.

The Cambodian nationwide anthem hit a technical snag and was performed late, forcing a delayed begin of the match. India have been on the entrance foot proper from the outset towards a listless Cambodian facet that regarded rusty, enjoying solely their second worldwide fixture this yr. Counter-attack needed to be Cambodia’s go-to possibility, masterminded by the staff’s basic supervisor within the dug-out, the Japan and AC Milan hero Keisuke Honda. But his gamers lacked high quality.

India performed with out strain and scored their first objective on 13 minutes. Boris Kok went for a sliding deal with to disclaim Colaco inside the world, received the ball however made contact with the Indian attacker on his comply with by. Rub of the inexperienced, although, went India’s approach, because the referee awarded a penalty. Chhetri transformed from the spot.

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An early objective was what the Indian staff head coach Igor Stimac needed and a 1-0 lead allowed the hosts sufficient respiration area. A Keo Sokpheng free-kick from 20 yards out was Cambodia’s tenuous hyperlink to a goal-threat. Stimac made optimistic substitutions at half-time, bringing on Sahal Abdul Samad and Udanta Singh for Anirudh Thapa and Manvir Singh respectively. India upped the ante within the second-half. Chhetri’s header from a Brandon Fernandes’s help on 59 minutes secured three factors and begin to the marketing campaign earlier than more durable assignments, towards Afghanistan and Hong Kong.

Some packed enclosures on the Salt Lake Stadium made a mockery of the AIFF’s resolution to initially concern solely 12,000 complimentary tickets for India’s matches. Chhetri received a standing ovation when he left the pitch on 68 minutes. The job was carried out and Stimac preserved his skipper for the subsequent two matches. The followers applauded Colaco for an exquisite deal with that thwarted a Cambodian counter-attack.

They put their arms collectively for Akash Mishra, who had a superb all-round recreation. They hung a banner as a mark of respect to India’s best, Chuni Goswami. India tends to lose their bearings within the ultimate quarter. Cambodia barely confirmed any ambition and the hosts have been secure. The subsequent two video games can be a take a look at of endurance, in mid-summer warmth and humidity.