India were held to a goalless draw by Lebanon in the final group match of the Intercontinental Cup at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Thursday evening. Both teams had their opportunities to get the three points but were profligate in the box which saw the match end on an even keel with the scoreline unchanged.
Heading into the game, Lebanon had already secured their place in the final as India's opponents, following Vanuatu's 1-0 victory over Mongolia earlier in the day.
Indian head coach Igor Stimac made several changes to the starting eleven, as he rested the Blue Tigers' talisman Sunil Chhetri. Instead, Ashique Kuruniyan was given a chance to impress. However, the back-line from the opening match against Mongolia was reinstated along with goal-scorers Sahal Abdul Samad and Lallianzuala Chhangte in the attacking third.
India began the match with intensity and purpose and came close to opening the scoring in the third minute when Chhangte's low cross from the right flank found Anirudh Thapa in the penalty area. However, the Chennaiyin midfielder could not find the target as his attempt went wide of the far post.
India continued to dominate proceedings while Lebanon looked threatening on the counter-attacks. Lebanon's skipper, Hassan Maatouk, was one of the best players on the pitch and kept testing India's defence. His partner-in-crime Karim Darwich had the entire goal at his mercy but a lunging Sandesh Jhingan blocked his shot to prevent Lebanon from drawing first blood.
Not the result we wanted, but we’ll see them again in 3️⃣ days ⚔️👊🏽 #INDLBN ⚔️ #HeroIntercontinentalCup 🏆 #IndianFootball ⚽️ #BlueTigers 🐯 pic.twitter.com/MJVq1wLNBe
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 15, 2023
The visitors continued to enjoy more possession in the second half and pressed the Indian defence in the hunt for an opening. Zein Farran, with his pace and dribbling skills, posed a constant threat down the right wing. In the 53rd minute, he managed to create space and fire a shot, but Anwar Ali blocked his effort.
India eventually got going in the final quarter with Sahal Abdul Samad seeing more of the ball. The Kerala Blasters player was through on goal but was flagged offside by a narrow margin after Udanta set him up on a platter.
Chhetri was introduced for the final 10 minutes but he could not find the back of the net as his header went whiskers wide of the target after Thapa floated in a perfectly-flighted corner inside the box.
The two teams will meet once again in the Intercontinental Cup Final on Sunday with their eyes firmly fixed on the silverware on offer.
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