India recorded their first win in Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign as talisman Sunil Chhetri struck twice for a 2-0 victory over Banglades...
India recorded their first win in Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign as talisman Sunil Chhetri struck twice for a 2-0 victory over Bangladesh in the joint preliminary round match in Doha on Monday.
Chhetri first found the back of the net in the 79th minute to keep his team on course for entry into the third qualifying round of the 2023 Asian Cup.
The 2-0 victory ended India’s eleven-match winless run and gave under-pressure Stimac just his second win as Indian boss.
India had to dig deep for the three points as they left it late to open up a stubborn Bangladesh defence.
Starting the match on the bench, second-half substitute Ashique Kuruniyan delivered a cross from the left which Chhetri, after a long run and from a tight angle, headed in brilliantly from behind Topu Barman at the Al Sadd Stadium.
Chhetri then rounded off his night with another fine strike in extra time (90+2) after receiving the ball from Suresh Singh from the right flank.
A confident India found themselves pressing in the opposition half after Chhetri’s 73rd goal in international football and the move worked as the captain scored his and the team’s second just before the final whistle.
Despite being ahead, India looked to add to their tally with both Ashique...
