India earned their second win in as many games in the Intercontinental Cup on Monday evening as they beat Vanuatu 1-0 in a hard-earned win, thanks to Sunil Chhetri's wonderful 81st-minute strike.
The match was India's second successive game at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, following their 2-0 win over Mongolia last Friday.
READ: Recap of India's 2-0 win over Mongolia in the Intercontinental Cup opener
With 62% of ball possession and a tireless focus on creating scoring opportunities, India dominated the first half of the match. Vanuatu, ranked 164th in the world, didn't manage to get a single shot on goal during the first half due to their largely ineffective attempts and being constantly under the cosh against a visibly superior India side.
Nandhakumar Sekar, making his debut, made a great impact and was a threat from midfield, creating a lot of opportunities from the middle-third and constantly finding ways to link up with the forward line. Despite taking part in a number of exciting build-up plays, Sekar blew a guilt-edged opportunity in the 36th minute from a delicious Mahesh Naorem through ball.
India kept up the pressure as the second half went on, but Vanuatu's staunch defence halted their advances. Chhetri came close to breaking the deadlock as a sumptuous cross from Naorem evaded the defenders in the box on its way to Chhetri, but the India captain misjudged his leap and missed a golden opportunity.
SO CLOSE!!! 😱🤯
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 12, 2023
Naorem’s cross was almost perfectly placed as @chetrisunil11 was just inches away from opening the scoring for the #BlueTigers 🐯
Watch Live on @StarSportsIndia, @DisneyPlusHS and @OfficialJioTV! 📺#HeroIntercontinentalCup 🏆 #VANIND ⚔️ #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/IKqnczkGpY
Coach Igor Stimac decide to shake things up with the introduction of Anirudh Thapa, Jeakson Singh, and Sahal Abdul Samad from the bench, in hopes of creating a difference with some fresh legs.
In the 81st minute, Chhetri, though, once more showed his mettle. With just nine minutes remaining, Chhetri secured the important goal thanks to a precise cross from left-back Shubashish Bose and a powerful left-footed volley that rendered the Vanuatu custodian powerless.
.@chetrisunil11's left footed finish takes the #BlueTigers 🐯 to the #HeroIntercontinentalCup 🏆 FINAL 💙😍#VANIND ⚔️ #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/1n081IsM4I
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 12, 2023
The winner from Chhetri was his 86th international goal for India. Kalinga Stadium also became the 14th different Indian venue where Chhetri has scored. The 38-year-old might be playing the last few years of football, but he showed that he is not yet slowing down.
What was Chhetri's celebration all about?
The captain celebrated the goal by dedicating it to the imminent arrival of his child with wife Sonam Bhattacharya, sliding the ball underneath his jersey.
Captain. Leader. Legend. @chetrisunil11 does it again 💙🔥
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 12, 2023
A hard fought victory for the #BlueTigers 🐯 after the winning goal evaded them till the 80th minute. #VANIND ⚔️ #HeroIntercontinentalCup 🏆 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/9jstTAu98J
In the post-match interview, he spoke about the celebration.
"Me and my wife are expecting a baby, this is how she wanted me to announce - it's for her and the baby. I just hope we got all the blessings and wishes," Chhetri revealed.
The win takes India to 6 points from 2 games, at the top of the table. They have booked their place in the Intercontinental Cup with a game in hand, which is against 99th-ranked Lebanon.
Lebanon are currently in second place in the table with 4 points from 2 games and a draw against India will seal their place in the final. However, if they lose and Mongolia defeat Vanuatu, Mongolia could go through if their goal difference is better than Lebanon.
