India beat Lebanon 2-0 to win the 2023 Intercontinental Cup on Sunday at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Lallianzuala Chhangte was the star of the game for the Blue Tigers as he provided the assist for Sunil Chhetri's opening goal and then himself scored the second to seal the Intercontinental Cup title for Igor Stimac's side.
#HeroIntercontinentalCup 2023 CHAMPIONS 😍🔥💪🏽
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 18, 2023
YOUR #BLUETIGERS 💙🇮🇳#IndianFootball ⚽️ #INDLBN ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/e55KRXUmWy
The hosts commanded proceedings throughout the first half and even came close to scoring on a few occasions but some resolute defending by the Lebanon players made sure that the scoresheet remained unchanged at halftime.
But a determined India started the second half on a positive note with Chhetri breaking the deadlock in the 46th minute.
Chhangte and Nikhil Poojary combined brilliantly on the right flank as they exchanged a quick one-two before Chhangte placed the ball towards Chhetri with a simple square pass. The Indian skipper did not make a mistake in finding the back of the net from close range.
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India then doubled their lead in the 65th minute when Chhetri, from the edge of the box, found Naorem Mahesh to his left with a pass. The East Bengal star attempted a first-time shot which was initially stopped by the Lebanese goalkeeper but Chhangte found the back of the net on the rebound.
This was India's second Intercontinental Cup win after 2018 when they bagged the title in Mumbai.
What next for the Indian football team?
The Indian team have hardly any time to relax as they next travel to Bengaluru to participate in the 14th edition of the SAFF Championship. They face Pakistan on June 21.
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