Mumbai: Captain Sunil Chhetri couldn’t have written a better script in his 100th international game as he struck twice to power India into the final of the the Intercontinental Cup with a convincing 3-0 win over Kenya here Monday evening.
Chhetri earned a penalty and broke the deadlock in the 68th minute while Jeje Lalpekhlua doubled the home team’s lead with his pile-driver in the 71st minute. The Indian skipper then ended the game in the best possible manner, scoring in added on time (90+1) off a Balwant Singh assist, as fans went berserk.
The outpouring of emotion over the last two days was followed by a heavy downpour, which threatened to play spoilsport. Puddles of water had formed in the field of play and what followed was a scrappy first half.
As the rain stopped, the groundsmen worked hard to get the water off the field throughout the half time interval. The talismanic Chhetri will remember their efforts, which probably saved the landmark game from turning into an anti-climax.
After the game, the Blue Tigers walked up to the fans and acknowledged their presence, with Chhetri taking his players for a lap of honour as his proud family savoured the moment from the stands.
“If this is the kind of turnout that is going to come to watch us, we can give our lives on the pitch,” an emotional Chhetri said after the match.
While the Kenyans looked better in the first half and had territorial advantage despite unfamiliar conditions, India hit back strongly after the break and looked to score.
The moment the Mumbai Football Arena was waiting for arrived when Chhetri earned a contentious penalty when he fell inside the box while trying to chest down a delivery from the right flank.
After a delay over protests by the Kenyan players, Chhetri beat the custodian with a deft placement to the left side. The crowd went jubilant and there was more to follow as Jeje unleashed a powerful drive off a rebound into the top corner of the Kenyan goal. Then Chhetri made it a memorable night with a lovely chip over an advancing Kenyan goalkeeper.
Chhetri had issued to a rallying call to the fans, and they turned up in numbers to mark a special night for the captain and his team. The official total attendance was 8,890 in the stadium which can accommodate around 10,500 people.