Chhetri brace ends 54-year wait
India kick-off campaign in style as Jeje, Thapa join striker on scoresheet in thumping win over fancied Thailand
ABUDHABI: India put in a performance for the ages to thrash Milovan Rajevac’s Thailand 4-1 in their AFC Asian Cup opener at the Al Nahyan Stadium.
Fifty-four years, seven months and four days after their last win at the finals of the Asian Cup — a 3-1 win over Hong Kong — India rode on an astonishing second-half performance that began with a stunning Sunil Chhetri goal to vanquish their fancied opponents and jump to the top of the Group A standings. Chhetri struck twice, his goals coming on either side of Thailand’s 33rd minute equaliser by Teerasil Dangda, while Anirudh Thapa and Jeje Lalpekhlua netted once each to overpower Thailand who looked rattled.
Thailand had arrived at the tournament with their stock on the rise after appearing in the final qualifying stage of the 2018 World Cup. The Asian Cup was expected to be the platform for Thai football’s coming of age.
Stephen Constantine started 21-year-old forward Ashique Kuruniyan in place of the more experienced Jeje and the youngster didn’t take long to cause the Thai backline a few problems with his pace and movement on the left wing. After Thailand weathered India’s opening raids, they managed to get a grip of the
game. Thai right-back Tristan Do’s delivery into the box in the 10th minute caused a moment of panic in the Indian defence. India played in a compact set-up, with Sandesh Jhingan and Anas Edathodika the key in central defence.
Thailand looked in control until a mishap at the back in the 27th minute handed India the initiative. Kuruniyan’s shot from an acute angle was parried away by keeper Chatchai Budprom, only for teammate Theerathon Bunmathan to handle the ball. Chhetri converted the spot kick but Bunmathan made amends six minutes later with a free-kick that was headed in by Dangda.
India went up soon after the breather. Udanta Singh’s run down the right was followed by a pass into the box. It was laid off into the path of Chhetri with the softest of touches by Kuruniyan. Chhetri smashed it into the top left of the goal. It was Chhetri’s 66th goal for the national team.
Twenty-two minutes later, Chhetri was at the heart of proceedings again as he sent Udanta through. Surrounded by two defenders, the winger controlled the ball and turned before laying it off to Thapa who held his nerve and calmly lobbed it in.
Kuruniyan was replaced by Jeje in the 78th minute. Struggling for form with Chennaiyin, Jeje repaid Constantine’s faith by scoring two minutes later. After receiving a pass from Halicharan Narzary, Jeje thumped home with his second touch.
JORDAN STUN AUSSIES
Australia’s title defence was off to a disastrous start as they were stunned 1-0 by Jordan at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain earlier on Sunday. Anas Bani Yaseen scored the only goal of the game in the 26th minute. Palestine held Syria to a barren draw in the other Group B tie.