India vs St Kitts and Nevis: India play against St. Kitts and Nevis, the third team in the tournament (Source: Twitter)
India started the match confidently as they eyed their 10th straight win after they beat Mauritius 2-1 in the ongoing Hero Tri-Nation Football tournament, which has been organised to help the hosts prepare for Asian Cup qualifiers against Macau on 5 September. However, they did not get the desired end results as the hosts failed to convert a lot of easy chances. It was St Kitts and Nevis second draw in the tournament as they were previously held to a 1-1 draw by lower-ranked Mauritius in their opening encounter. India’s Jackichand Singh scored a goal for the hosts in the 38th minute to give them a lead. Even though the Blue Tigers had multiple chances to double the lead, off-target shots stole the chance from India. St Kitts and Nevis’ Gvaune Amory equalised to make it 1-1 against India with 15 minutes of the game remaining. India’s keeper Subrata Paul needs to be credited for helping India not lose the match after he saved a number of shots on target from the opposition side.
India vs St Kitts and Nevis:
2153 IST: Full time! And the thrilling match comes to an end with a draw. Howver, the hosts win the tournament as they previously beat Mauritius, who ended their second match in a draw. India is the only team that managed to win a game in the Tri-nation series.
2142 IST: So close yet so far. Deflection for India as the ball hits the post, denying the hosts a chance to win the match with just a few minutes remaining.
2136 IST: Substitution as Anirudh Thapa comes in for Rowllin. This is Thapa’s debut in the senior team. Last ten minutes of the game. Will there be a winner?
2129 IST: Goal! St Kitts and Nevis’ Amory makes it 1-1 against India with 15 minutes of the game remaining. The goal comes after two brilliant saves from Subrata.
2128 IST: Stephen Constantine’s men win seven corners in comparison to just 1 of St Kitts but need to work on converting them successfully.
2121 IST: Offside! Another play by Robin ends up offside. St Kitts try to make a comeback but the Indian defenders stand tall against them.
2118 IST: Substitution for the hosts as Nikhil Poojary comes in for goalscorer Jacki. Rafique comes in for Eugeneson.
2117 IST: Substitution for St Kitts and Nevis as Tiran comes in for Tishan.
2111 IST: Robin has brought a new energy to his side as India create chances with amazing playskills. However, the Indians need to word harder on targets as their shoots go awfully wide. No point creating chances if you can’t convert them.
2105 IST: What skills by Jhingan as he was very close to scoring his first goal for team India. India showcase beautiful skills for the second time in two minutes but fail to convert.
2100 IST: Second half begins with St Kitts and Nevis attack. Close shave for India as the ball goes slightly over the board. Robin Singh comes in for Balwant.
2046 IST: HALF-TIME
Though St Kitts and Nevis attempt to make a comeback against the hosts, India dominate in the first half and gain a lead with Jackichand goal in the 38th minute. Jeje failed to double the lead with multiple close shaves for India as keeper Subrata displays good efforts to keep the ball out of the net. Both Jackichand’s goals for India have now come at the Mumbai Football Arena!
2038 IST: GOAL A superb header from Jackichand sends the ball flying inside the net after Rowllin Borges curls in a perfect assist. Jeje could have doubled the lead but the opposition goalkeeper managed to save it.
GOAL! Jackichand Singh’s header gives India the lead. #BackTheBlue #AsianDream #INDvSKN pic.twitter.com/9PFgT9QFE6
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) 24 August 2017
2035 IST: A foul on Narayan and referee awards the free-kick as the possession is back with the visitors. The good thing for India is that they have not conceded a single goal till now.
2031 IST: Free kick awarded to the visitors but Subrata saves it.
2029 IST: Another missed chance for India as they take fourth corner in comparison to St Kitts’ zero corners.
Disappointment for @juniorbachchan as a goal is disallowed. #INDvSKN #BackTheBlue #AsianDream pic.twitter.com/eDYc9Op4pp
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) 24 August 2017
2028 IST: Offside! Skipper Jhingan scores after a free-kick was awarded when Jeje was brought down but referee declares it offside.
2023 IST: The hosts create another chance but fail to concert it. Corner for India but that also goes far wide. India need to work on better shots on target.
2020 IST: What a close shave! India builds up beautifully as they kick the ball inside the box but Balwant’s header goes wide.
2014 IST: Rowllin Borges floats in a long ball but it’s bit heavier for Balwant.
2006 IST: India take charge as home crowd chant captain Sandesh Jhingan’s name. Meanwhile, foul on Narzary.
Chants for @Balwant_Singh17 Will he score tonight? #INDvSKN #BackTheBlue #AsianDream pic.twitter.com/xdRWLEiyqX
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) 24 August 2017
2000 IST: The last match of the Hero Tri-Nation Football tournament is underway between India and 132nd placed St Kitts and Nevis at the Mumbai Football Arena. India begin with dominating. Football enthusiasts Aditya Thackeray and Abhishek Bachchan spotted in the stands.
1959 IST: Here is the starting line up for India:
Subrata, Pritam, Jhingan, Anas, Narayan Das, Rowllin, Jackichand, Lyngdoh, Narzary, Jeje, Balwant.
1950 IST: Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Hero Tri-Nation Football tournament between India and St Kitts & Nevis, taking place in Mumbai Football Arena.
