Bhubaneswar: The Indian senior men’s team defeated Vanuatu 1-0 to seal spot in the Intercontinental Cup Final. The final will be held on Monday, June 12, 2023, at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. This was the Blue Tigers’ eighth consecutive home victory, maintaining six clean sheets. Earlier in the day, Mongolia held Lebanon to a goalless draw following a tenacious defensive performance, ensuring India’s last berth with three points.
Sunil Chhetri’s spectacular 86th international goal for India finally ended the game after a dominant 80 minutes in which the hosts generated innumerable opportunities but lacked the cutting edge.
Head coach Igor Stimac made nine changes to the team that defeated Mongolia 2-0 in last match. Captain Sunil Chhetri and Sandesh Jhingan, who was making his 50th Blue Tigers appearance, remained in the starting eleven. Nandhakumar Sekar, made his senior international debut against Vanuatu.
The Blue Tigers’ misfired shots dominated the opening half. Liston Colaco and Nandhakumar fired over the bar from long range as Vanuatu sat tight at the back in the early minutes.
Sunil Chhetri also squandered two wonderful chances, first heading over a fine-looking Kotal cross from the right before failing to connect correctly with Mahesh’s looping throw just before half-time.
Stimac gave Mahesh his first start for the Blue Tigers, and he was the creator of most of India’s chances. The East Bengal player sent a fantastic through pass for his new club colleague Nandhakumar, who could only shoot wide.
Liston, who had previously missed a half-decent opportunity by skying a Chhetri lay-off, ultimately had India’s first effort on goal. Vanuatu custodian Massing Kalotang originally spilled his strong strike from the edge of the area, but he swiftly retrieved it on the second try before Chhetri could pounce.
After the interval, Mahesh shifted to the left flank but continued to produce dangerous crosses into the centre, but Chhetri headed wide from just beyond the six-yard box.
At the hour mark, Stimac changed the midfield. Sahal Abdul Samad, Anirudh Thapa, and Jeakson Singh Thounaojam were put in to increase India’s offensive urgency.
Vanuatu began sitting lower and deeper as time passed, seeking to save a valuable point. But the hosts were not to be denied, as Chhetri scored his 86th international goal for India. Subhasish Bose, made his first appearance for India in almost a year. Bose produced an inch-perfect cross into the penalty area for Chhetri. Chhetri chested it down precisely before volleying it in with grace as the ball nestled into the top of the goal.
A picture of calm, Chhetri quietly collected the ball after putting India in the lead and proceeded to tuck it under his shirt in a loving gesture to his wife Sonam.
“This is the way she wanted to announce it. So, this is for her and for our baby. I generally thought there would be different ways to announce it and to share the happiness with everyone and share their blessings, but the cliché holds it way. I had to do it,” exclaimed Chhetri after the match. “I just hope that we get everyone’s blessings. That was the whole point.”
