India emerge Champions of Hero Tri-Nation series 2017

by Chittu Shetty August 24, 2017

India won the Hero Tri-Nation Football series tournament with a draw against St. Kitts & Nevis as the winning streak finally ended.

India started with almost the same line-up that faced Mauritius in the opening game of the day with Robin Singh being the only change, replaced by Balwant Singh. At the other end, St. Kitts & Nevis made four changes from the one that faced Mauritius.

The game began with end-to-end football right away as St. Kitts had their first shot within 30 seconds but the shot went wide of the target. India soon came back the next minute when on the right Jackichand did well to nutmeg his marker before sending in a cross, which just missed the Indian players in the box.

In the 20^th minute, India went close when a Rowlin’s pass was met by Halicharan whose teasing cross into the box was met by a Balwant’ s header only to be defended off the line. In the 26^th minute, the visitors went close to goal when a shot from distance was saved from the between the sticks. However, in the next minute, India came back winning a free kick just outside the box, in a modified free kick, Narayan Das shot brought a brilliant save from the keeper, Jeje’s effort of the rebound won India the goal only to be judged offside by the referee.

However, in the next minute, India came back winning a free kick just outside the box, in a modified free kick, Narayan Das shot brought a brilliant save from the keeper, Jeje’s effort off the rebound won India the goal only to be judged offside by the referee.

However, in the 38^th minute, India took the lead when Rowlin’s cross into the near post, was smartly glided into the far post net, through a header by Jackichand Singh. India almost doubled a lead couple of minutes later when Narayan’s cross into the box found Jeje, the Mizo sniper’s shot was well saved by visiting keeper Jamal to deny India the goal.

The second half began with Constantine replacing Balwant with Robin, going for some muscle at the top. India had a chance early when Kotal played a quick one-two with Jeje going into the box but failed to connect at the final third as the chance went a-begging. Robin too had a chance a few minutes later but failed to finish off a one-on-one situation as the visitor’s Keeper came off his line to deny India a double.

Soon Constantine brought in fresh legs in the form of Nikhil Poojary and Md. Rafique replacing Eugeneson and Jackichand. The youngster Nikhil made an immediate impact when he did well to win a ball in St. Kitts half finding himself in a one-on-one situation, however, the St. Kitts keeper had already come off his line to block the shot. In the 67

In the 67^th minute, Nikhil once again showed why he is so highly rated when he dribbled past his marker on the right before setting up Robin, who gladly dispatched it past the keeper, only for the referee to call it an offside. In the 68

In the 68^th minute, Bertie Carlos almost equalized only for Subrata to deny the goal. A minute later, Subrata was once called to action as he tipped the ball over to keep the score line at 1-0. However, St. Kitts continuous pressure yielded a result when from a corner Justin Springer converted to equalize the score.

In search of a winner, Constantine brought in Anirudh Thapa in place of Rowlin Borges, shifting to a 4-3-3 formation. However, the St. Kitts manned their well denying Indians any opportunities. As the game seemed to drift off for a draw, Robin almost scored a winner in the injury time only for the ball to rebound off the post.

The game finally ended at 1-1 as St. Kitts held on to the nervy final few minutes. India’s winning streak finally ended, however, India won the Hero Tri Series Trophy having accumulated four points off the game two more than St. Kitts.