India produced a breathtaking display of football to overcome the formidable opposition from the Kyrgyz Republic and lift the Hero Tri-National International Tournament Trophy in Imphal on Tuesday. Led by their inspirational captain Sunil Chhetri, who scored his 85th international goal, India defeated the higher-ranked team 2-0 to maintain their all-win record in the tournament. Chhetri’s milestone goal made him the fifth-highest goalscorer in the history of football, surpassing the legendary Ferenc Puskas of Hungary. The Indian skipper now sits third in the list of active footballers with the most goals, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. It was a night of glory for Indian football and a testament to the team’s growing prowess on the international stage.
Indian footballer Sunil Chhetri has been making headlines lately as he continues to break records in the sport. One notable record is that he has scored the most goals in international football against Nepal and the Maldives. Chhetri has proven to be a force to be reckoned with, netting eight goals after playing six matches against the Maldives and another eight goals after featuring in 12 matches against Nepal. What’s even more impressive is that the Bengaluru FC striker has also scored six times against Bangladesh and Chinese Taipei, and five goals against Cambodia and Tajikistan. With this kind of performance, it’s no wonder why Chhetri has become one of the most respected footballers in India and beyond.
Despite needing seven matches to score against Afghanistan, Indian legend Sunil Chhetri showed his prowess once again by bagging his fourth goal against the Kyrgyz Republic on Tuesday. Chhetri’s ability to score against different countries is evident, having scored three goals against Myanmar, Bhutan, Vietnam, and Guam. He also has two goals each against Syria, Lebanon, Malaysia, Oman, and Thailand. Centre-back Sandesh Jhingan opened the scoring for India, but it was Chhetri’s spot-kick that sealed the deal in the 84th minute, proving the veteran striker’s value to the Indian team.
In a magnificent display of teamwork and skill, midfielder Brandon Fernandes set up India’s first goal against the Kyrgyz Republic with a perfectly placed free-kick that found the foot of defender Sandesh Jhingan. But Jhingan’s finishing touch was not what anyone had expected – instead of going for a header, Jhingan waited for the ball to land and then expertly swung it into the goal. It was a beautiful example of India’s relentless attacks throughout the game. And when Naorem Mahesh Singh was fouled inside the penalty box in the 84th minute, striker Chhetri stepped up to score his 85th international goal, securing a hard-fought victory for India.
India’s football team proved their mettle by securing their fifth consecutive win on home turf. Despite making six changes to the team, head coach Igor Stimac’s strategy didn’t break their winning streak even a bit. The recent success of the Indian football team shows how they are growing in confidence before the upcoming AFC Asian Cup in January next year. The tournament was a perfect platform for the team to showcase their skills and demonstrate their preparedness for the continental challenge. With a strong winning performance, the Indian team is ready to make their mark on the international stage.
