Super-Sub Balwant’s brace sends India to the top of the table

by Chittu Shetty September 5, 2017

India dominance in Asian cup qualifiers continue as 2nd half brace from Super-sub Balwant made it 9 points in 3 games sending them to the top of their table

India started with Captain Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh and Gurpreet back in the playing 11 replacing Balwant, Subrata and Jackichand. Macau came out with a set plan of frustrating their opponent by slowing the game as much as possible.

Despite the heavy possession the first attempt on goal came in the 12th minute, when Narayan’s strike went straight to the keeper. However it was Chhetri in the 19th minute, who went even closer but struck wide thanks to a last ditch challenge from Macau defence.

Ten minutes later, jeje’s header looped over the keeper over the net. In the 37th minutes India almost took a lead when eugeneson strike from outside the box hit the post. Nearing halftime Narzary’s low cross beat the Macau defence to reach Chhetri’s first time shot at far post, only to be blocked away.  Macau on their part made sure they stretched the game as much as possible taking long time in free kicks, goal kicks. The first half ended at 0-0 as India failed to break the resolute Macau defence.

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Second half began with Constantine replacing Eugene with Balwant shifting to 4-3-3 in search of goals. The change made an immediate impact as minutes into the half, a Pritam Kotal cross found Balwant whose header went agonizingly wide of the post. Sunil Chhetri seemed to be having an odd day as in the 51st minute; Chhetri’s powerful header hit the woodwork. Minutes later his free-kick from just outside the box sailed inches over the post. However India finally took the lead when in the 57th minute, another of Narayan’s cross found Balwant who successfully headed it in to the net.

Balwant looked in form winning headers repeatedly inside the box. The goal brought in a much needed confidence in the team as they went ahead in search of second. Pritam almost doubled the lead minutes after the hour mark when his shot from 30 yards was tipped over the bar by the Macanese keeper. India continued to attack with Udanta and Balwant coming closer in the next 10 minutes. However in the 82nd minute a comedy of error between Macanese keeper and defender meant Balwant pounce on that long ball from Gurpreet to make it 2-0.

The game ended at 2-0 as India made it 11 games unbeaten as they are now 1 win away from 2019 Asian Cup spot.

Final Score: Macau 0 – 2 India (Balwant Singh 57′, 81′)