Chhetri stars as India beat Myanmar

YANGON: Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri proved his worth again as his solitary goal in the 90th minute broke a 64-year jinx of beating Myanmar at home in the 2019 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup qualifier round here on Tuesday. Udanta Singh's exquisite pass from inside the box was calmly converted by Chhetri to start the campaign on a winning note. Bengaluru FC star Chhetri's 53rd goal for the national team helped India go to the top of group A in the Asian Cup qualifiers third round. However, the victory was very difficult. Myanmar, who are 29 places below India's world ranking of 133, forced the visitors to begin on a cautious note. Myanmar could have scored within the first five minutes but prudent defender Anas Edathodika kept Kyaw Ko Ko at bay.

Chhetri, who was named captain by coach Stephen Constantine on Tuesday, hit the gas immediately when he cut into from the left flank but the Myanmar defender deflected the danger with utmost precision. India will now host Kyrgyzstan on June 12 in their second match of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifying campaign before taking on Lebanon in an International Friendly on June 6.