Hero Intercontinental Cup: Chhetri stars on his 100th International Cap as India beat Kenya 3-0
Perhaps it was his destiny, or perhaps it was the moment or perhaps it was written in the stars. In his 100th International match, Sunil Chhetri scored a brace to lead India to a 3-0 win over Kenya in India’s second match of the Hero Intercontinental Cup at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai, Maharashtra today (June 04, 2018).
Skipper Chhetri’s penalty strike in the 68th minute and a peach of a goal in added extra time alongwith Jeje Lalpekhlua’s 71st minute strike enabled India to outmaneuver Kenya in a tough contest. The thunderous out-pour of rain at the Andheri Sports Complex made life difficult for both the teams and both adjusted to playing on a wet surface in the opening minutes, with neither taking the risk of attacking.
A free-kick for India went directly into the gloves of the Kenyan custodian whilst on the other end, although Kenya pumped bodies into the Indian defending half, were unable to create a clear scoring opportunity in front of goal. With Kenya, attacking from distance and accumulating corner’s to test India’s pedigree in set pieces, the defensive line of Sandesh Jhingan and Anas thwarted any dangerous chances for the opposition.
In the 22nd minute, Skipper Sunil Chhetri, making history by becoming the second Indian ever to bag 100 International caps, had an opportunity to put India ahead. But, Chhetri’s shot from distance after Jeje had caused panic in the opposition defence, went inches over the bar. Three minutes later, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was called onto action and the lanky goalkeeper dived at full stretch to keep a rasping shot from distance out.
Udanta Singh proved to be a threat down the flanks and his outburst of speed caught the Kenyan defence offguard often. In the 44th minute, Udanta danced past the Kenyan defences on the flanks but his final cross lacked the venom for the waiting Sunil Chhetri in the box as Kenya cleared their lines. Both teams went into the tunnel at half-time on level pegging with the scoreline reading 0-0.
Changing over, Kenya almost gave India a scare in the 49th minute when Ovella Ochieng burst through the centre of the Indian defence but could only shoot inches wide of the goal. In the 55th minute, India had a golden opportunity to take the lead but Sunil Chhetri failed to make proper connection with on a volley after a Halicharan cross from the flanks.
With the momentum in India’s favour, Constantine’s men kept on attacking and in the 63rd minute Pronoy Halder’s shot almost took the lead for India but some acrobatic goalkeeping by the Kenyan custodian kept his shot at bay. Cometh the moment, cometh the man and in the 68th minute, Sunil Chhetri scored in his 100thInternational cap, courtesy of a penalty kick to give India a solitary goal lead. In the 71st minute, Jeje Lalpekhlua hammered home from close range to double India’s lead over Kenya after a quick play on the flanks to make most of India’s attacking momentum.
In the dying embers of the match, Sunil Chhetri burst onto the opposition goal and in an exquisite manner chipped the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to finish a sublime move into the back of the net, giving India a 3-0 lead. With his second goal of the match, Sunil Chhetri scored his 61st goal in International football in 100 International matches.
The Indian defence line contained the Kenya initiatives to reduce the deficit and kept the Kenyan forwards at bay as the full-time scoreline read 3-0 in India’s favour. India face New Zealand next on June 07, 2018 in the Hero Intercontinental Cup.
– Courtesy AIFF Media
Also Read: I had a dream but never dreamt of playing 100 matches: Sunil Chhetri
Also Read: Hero Intercontinental Cup: 5 Talking points – India 5-0 Chinese Taipei
Click for everything about Hero Intercontinental Cup – Football Counter
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more updated on Mumbai & Indian Football
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC flares an important 3-0 victory over Sporting Goa in an crucial encounter
Maharashtra Oranje FC returned to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Sporting Goa to lift themselves to 7th spot in the I-League 2 table In a high-stakes I-League 2…
Roundup: Chennaiyin FC win against KBFC as RFYC, Bengaluru FC play gripping draw in RFDL National Group Stage in Mumbai
Mumbai, April 16: Bengaluru FC and Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) played out a goalless draw at the Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) in Navi Mumbai in the National Group Stage…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC win 5-2 to stay in title race, Hope United enters top 3 in the league table
Title contenders Millat FC kept their unbeaten run on with cruising 5-2 win over Kalina Rangers, Hope United picked up a come from behind win. Millat FC rode on Duane…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 1 Preview: Playoffs fever grips the ISL as Odisha FC host Kerala Blasters FC with a semi-final spot at stake
Bhubaneswar, April 18: Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters FC will face each other in the first match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs at the Kalinga Stadium in…
Kerala Blasters FC bag winning momentum before playoffs with solid 3-1 win against Hyderabad FC
Hyderabad, April 12: Kerala Blasters FC ensured that they will enter the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs with a win at their back after defeating Hyderabad FC by 3-1…
Mohun Bagan Super Giant crowned ISL Champions 2023-24 after 2-1 win in title-winning clash against Mumbai City FC
Kolkata, April 15: Mohun Bagan Super Giant became the Indian Super League (ISL) Champions by defeating Mumbai City FC by 2-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata tonight. The…
Attacking talents flourish, defensive stability define league’s best: ISL 2023-24 Statistical Breakdown
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 league stages rounded off with Mohun Bagan Super Giant becoming the League Champions for the first time in the history of the competition. They…
Ivan Vukomanovic: Seeing Kerala Blasters FC players shine for the national team gives me great satisfaction
Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic is into his third season in the Indian Super League (ISL) and he has naturally overseen the rise of multiple young players who…
NorthEast United FC end their campaign on a high with feisty 3-0 victory over Odisha FC
Guwahati, April 13: NorthEast United FC bowed out of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on a high with a resounding 3-0 victory against Odisha FC at the Indira Gandhi…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 2 Preview – Playoff Fever: FC Goa Hosts Chennaiyin FC in High-Stakes Knockout Battle
Goa, April 19: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs reach a fever pitch as FC Goa prepares to host Chennaiyin FC in a high-stakes knockout clash at the iconic…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…