A gem of a performance from the Indian team as they have dominated Pakistan right from the start. A fine hat-trick by Indian captain Sunil Chhetri and a late goal from substitute Udanta sealed a 4-0 convincing victory for the hosts in Group A at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
The Indian elderly men’s platoon demurred off their SAFF Championship title defence with a 4- 0 palm over Pakistan in Group A on Wednesday at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
Sunil Chhetri netted an beforehand brace before adding another after the break for his fourth transnational chapeau- trick, thereby taking his census to 90 pretensions. Substitute Udanta Singh also finished the job with the fourth thing late on to sum up a memorable night for the Blue Barracuda on their return to Bengaluru after nearly six times.
Kuwait beat Nepal 3- 1 in the event nature before in the day. India are top of the Group A standings on thing difference after matchday 1.
This was India’s one of biggest palms against Pakistan. In the 1999 SAF Games India defeated their rivals from across the border 5- 2 with IM Vijayan scoring a chapeau- trick. Chhetri is the third Indian to find a chapeau- trick against Pakistan after Puran Bahadur and IM Vijayan.
Chhetri said after the match “ We’re veritably happy to start the event on a winning note. A game in these stormy conditions isn’t easy, so I ’m really happy, majorly because we kept a clean distance, and also because so numerous suckers turned up to support us moment. ”
Lower than 72 hours after a high- octane final palm in the Hero Intercontinental Cup in Bhubaneswar, India were out to a lightning-quick launch in Bengaluru.
Pakistan goalkeeper Saqib Hanif had looked shaky right from the morning and Chhetri took full advantage in the 10th nanosecond. The commander pressed high and capitalised on a mis- control from the custodian to niche the ball into an empty net.
Just five twinkles latterly, Sahal Abdul Samad showed quick bases to skip past a couple of challenges before feeding Anirudh Thapa, who’s shot hit a Pakistan protector’s hand. The performing India penalty was dispatched with ease by Chhetri.
Indeed with a two- thing lead, India maintained their high pressure and saw Chhangte’s left- footed shot on the turn saved before Sahal hit the side network. Standing over a free- kick right outside the box, Chhetri transferred it over the wall but just wide of the near post.
At the stroke of half- time, India head trainer Igor Stimac was transferred off for interposing a quick gamble- in from Pakistan. Assistant trainer Mahesh Gawali deputised for him on the touchline after the break.
What had been a light mizzle at kick- off turned into a rain at half- time but the Kanteerava crowd didn’t let their loud voices go down one bit. A big chance went soliciting for the Blue Barracuda soon after kick- off as Sahal hit the ball wide from close range after the goalkeeper revealed Ashique Kuruniyan’s low cross.
India also hovered from set- pieces as Sandesh Jhingan headed Sahal’s free- kick onto the bar.
In the 73rd nanosecond, Chhetri was pushed in the box by Muhammad Sufyan, earning another spot- kick for himself, which he transferred straight into the top- left corner to score his 90th transnational thing and shoot the Bengaluru crowd into ecstasies.
The commander’s former Bengaluru teammate Udanta also got in on the act, scoring India’s fourth thing in the 81st nanosecond. Anwar Ali transferred the winger clean through on thing with a fine ball over the top, and he calmly slotted it in with only the keeper to beat. Know More Latest Football News….
