Chhetri eyes 100th match as India clash with Kenya

MUMBAI: Sunil Chhetri’s hattrick stole the show in India’s 5-0 dismantling of Chinese Taipei in the opening match of the Intercontinental Cup on Friday. As India prepare to play Kenya in their second game on Monday, Chhetri is again the focal point.

It is not merely because the India captain is likely to maintain his goal-scoring form, but it will be his 100th match in national colours, a feat only behind the 104 appearances of Bhaichung Bhutia, his predecessor as Indian football’s talisman.

India will also carry impetus from forward Jeje Lalpekhlua’s performance against Taipei. The player from Mizoram was outstanding against Chinese Taipei with two assists for Chhetri besides creating several other chances.

Wingers Holicharan Nazary and Udanta Singh also put in stellar shifts on the wings. Udanta even got a goal, but may be rotated to give other attackers a chance as coach Stephen Constantine seeks to finalise his squad before India travel to the UAE for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Midfielder Pronoy Halder, back in the national fold after being sidelined by injury, and 20-year-old Anirudh Thapa, who was handed his first start, also produced eye-catching performances against Taipei. Constantine t hough may opt for someone slightly more experienced than Thapa against a physically superior Kenyan unit. But Halder, who had been described by the manager as a ‘destroyer’, can be expected to start to break up attacks and add muscle in the middle.

Defensively, India were not troubled much by the inexperienced and youthful Asian side, but Kenya are likely to pose a bigger threat.

In their 2-1 win over New Zealand on Saturday, the Africans came alive in the second half as the All Whites began to tire after a determined show in the first period.

Kenya’s energy and physical style will be an issue to the 97th ranked Indian side, but they will be encouraged that New Zealand created several good chances against the Africans with only their poor finishing letting them down.

The onus thus will be on India’s attack against the Harambee Stars, who are without key players such as Tottenham Hotspurs’ Victor Wanyama. The winners will strengthen their chances of playing in the final, on June 10.

I had a dream but never dreamt of playing 100 international matches. I never think much about milestones. This is unbelievable. SUNIL CHHETRI, India captain