Intercontinental Cup: Chhetri helps himself to a triple-strike

Sunil Chhetri netted three times as India ran rings around Chinese Taipei to score a 5-0 win in the Hero Intercontinental Cup football tournament opener here on Friday. Udanta Singh and Pronoy Halder completed the tally for the host.

The humidity took its toll on the players, even though the game was played under floodlights. The quality of the surface encouraged ground passing and Chhetri the finisher relished the opportunity to assert himself.

The Indian captain displayed close control, weaving in and out, before firing home his third and the team’s fourth third goal. Earlier, his two goals lit up the first half and gave fans moments to celebrate. 

Chhetri scored first in the 14th minute after a passing bout with Jeje Lalpekhlua and the second goal in the 34th minute involved the skipper, Jeje and Anirudh Thapa. After conceding the ball on the left, the Taipei players were left chasing as the three strikers exchanged places before the former fired home.

Wien Chen under the visitors goal was tested twice early but was beaten the third time. Chhetri stepped into space around the box to tap a pass from Udanta but the first-time touch flew wide. The Indian skipper was again in focus the next time off a direct free-kick and this time he curled wide.

The Taipei defence got into a tangle as Kotal picked out his captain after overlapping on the right. Chhetri nodded the ball down but the defence cleared. Subhashish Bose floated a long pass into space behind the defenders. Chhetri set off in chase and trapped but the custodian blocked him.

Udanta ensured Indian domination with a cheeky step-over to hoodwink a Taipei defender struggling to keep up with him and slotted home. The visitors were in no position to stop the fourth goal. A corner kick by Udanta resulted in Anirudh Thapa putting his captain in possession and the latter encashed.

The result: India 5 (Sunil Chhetri 14, 34, 62, Udanta Singh 48, Pritam Kotal 78) bt Chinese Taipei 0.