Bravo! Indian football team bags Hero Intercontinental Cup after defeating Kenya by 2-0
Mumbai, June 11: Indian football team on Sunday clinched the Hero Intercontinental Cup after registering a thrilling victory over Kenya by 2-0 in the summit clash that was played at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai. Skipper Sunil Chhetri ensured India’s win after posting 2 goals on the scoreboard which later became the decider.
Notably, Sunil Chhetri ensured the decibel levels spread all over the country with two sublime strikes in the 7th and the 29th minutes, one off his right and the second off his left. The first magic came as early as the 8th minute. Following a free-kick where captain Chhetri was brought down outside the box, India earned a free-kick. Even as Anirudh Thapa took that step to unleash it, Chhetri sprung out of the crowd to connect Thapa’s pass to dig it to the low corner to give India the lead.
Later in the 29th minute, Sunil Chhetri scored again and registered a record of 64 goals in International Football, bringing him at level terms with Lionel Messi. Changing over, the individual brilliance was backed by defending in numbers as if their lives depended on it. The Indians were willing to fall back to add to the strength as Udanta Singh, substitute Balwant and even Chhetri felt best to press, act as shields and tackle when necessary.
The first two substitutions came in the 61st minute – Balwant Singh coming in for Jeje Lalpekhlua and then Rowllin Borges coming in for Halicharan Narzary, while in the 80th minute Ashique Kuruniyan replaced Udanta.
Kenya attacked, dominated and earned nine corners in the process. But all in their desperate attempt to inspire themselves, they were unable to make all of that count, the decibel levels in the stands increasing with every minute as India marched on towards a historic victory.
In the process, India pocketed USD 50000 while runners-up Kenya received USD25000. Indian National Team Captain Sunil Chhetri who was declared the Player of the Tournament went back home richer by USD 7500.