Mumbai: Captain Sunil Chhetri struck twice as hosts India beat Kenya 2-0
to lift the Intercontinental Cup at the Mumbai Sports Arena here on Sunday evening.
The drums, the Viking claps, the chants and the chorus had broken all decibel levels
from two hours prior to the kick-off of the Hero Intercontinental Cup final-- the pilgrims
who had flocked to the Mumbai Football Arena initiated it, the rest followed.
Sunil Chhetri ensured the decibel levels spread all over the country with two sublime
strikes in the 8th 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.
In the 29th minute, it was just another long ball which seemed quite harmless as it
floated off Anas Edathodika towards Chhetri. The action kicked-off thereafter.
The captain trapped on his chest, tamed the ball to fall in front of him leaving marker
Michael Kibwage no alternative but to chase the shadow. Understanding Kibwage was
breathing down his neck, SC11 unleashed it off his left-foot for rival Goalkeeper Patrick
Matasi to fish it out his net.
That for the record was Chhetri's 64th goal 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 tallest one on the pitch, wearing the No. 23 came up with two spectacular saves
which would make every No 1 in the world proud. The first one was immediately after
the changeover when he dived full length to thwart Ovella Ochieng's effort from a
distance.
The second one came in the 76th minute ? Gurpreet's huge frame defying gravity to
acrobatically deny a Ochieng free-kick which was all addressed to the net till Gurpreet
punched it out.
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.
The final whistle understandably brought about another eruption at the Mumbai
Football Arena and then another once again when the trophy was handed over by
Praful Patel, President, All India Football Federation.
In the process champions 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.
India: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Pritam Kotal (Lalruatthara ? 91st), Sandesh Jhingan,
Anas Edathodika, Subhasish Bose (Narayan Das ? 91st); Udanta Singh (Adhique
Kuuruniyan ? 80th), Pronay Halder, Anirudh Thapa (Laldhanmawaia Ralte ? 93rd),
Halicharan Narzary (Rowllin Borges ? 61st), Sunil Chhetri ?, Jeje Lalpekhlua
(Balwant Singh ? 61st).(UNI)
