India in Intercontinental Cup final despite losing to NZ
MUMBAI:ANOTHER full house at the Mumbai Football Arena and another Sunil Chhetri goal. But it wasn’t a happy ending for the high-flying Indian team as the All Whites staged a superb comeback, thanks to a stellar performance from their rising star Sarpreet Singh to hand the hosts a 2-1 defeat on Thursday.
A bizarre goal had granted India the lead two minutes after restart but New Zealand pulled one back through Andre De Jong, who was set up by Sarpreet, less than a minute later. The Kiwi prodigy would go on to set-up substitute Moses Dyer’s winner four minutes from time. Apart from two penalty appeals from Chhetri, that were dismissed by the referee, India’s best chance came three minutes before half-time.
Ashique Kuruniyan’s cross from the left was headed back into the danger zone by Balwant Singh and fell to Chhetri. The skipper’s outside foot strike rose just over the cross bar.
Bringing up his 50th appearance in national colours, Jeje Lalpekhlua made way for Balwant Singh at the restart. Holicharan Narzary and Pronoy Halder were also brought on to offer the hosts some solidity.
The changes seem to have made an instantaneous impact with India pressing forward and forcing New Zealand into conceding a bizarre goal.
A back pass to goalkeeper Michael Woud forced him to the edge of the box and his clearance met Chhetri’s foot and rolled into the back of the net.
India, with six points and a superior goal difference, are virtually guaranteed a spot in Sunday’s final. New Zealand, on the other hand, will have to rely on Chinese Taipei restricting Kenya to two goals or less in their game on Friday.