India's talismanic captain Sunil Chhetri became the second-highest Asian goal-scorer in international football on Wednesday with a glittering hat-trick lacing India's 4-0 win over Pakistan in their SAFF Championship opener. (Pic: AFP/@IndianFootball/Twitter)
Updated On: 2023-06-21 10:38 PM IST
Compiled by : Editor
From the beginning of the match itself India brought forth their experience and class into play. Pakistan had pockets of doughty resistance, but they were not a match to India's cohesion and purpose on a rain-drenched night at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
Six minute later, the talismanic forward Chhetri doubled the lead through a penalty and at 2-0, the route which the match took was clear. India pressed for more goals in the first half, but they could not add to the tally as Pakistan defence held their own.
The big moment came in the 74th minute when India made it 3-0. Pakistan defenders brought down Chhetri inside the box and referee Prajwal Chhetri allowed a penalty kick for India, and the Indian skipper converted it to complete his hat-trick, also putting the match beyond the grasp of Pakistan.
It was a case of India's victory margin after Chhetri's hat-trick and Udanta Singh passed more agony on the visitors with a goal in the 81st minute. Fed by a through pass by Sandesh Jhingan, Udanta made a good, speedy run down the pitch to slot the ball past Pakistan goalkeeper.
Chhetri had shown sparks of his old ebullient self in the Intercontinental Cup final against Lebanon at Odisha on Sunday, and the Indian skipper stepped on the pedal on his 'home turf'. After getting a quick feel of the surface and their opponents, India started the goal rush as early as in the 10th minute through Chhetri, who netted through a fine field goal.