India beat Lebanon to win Intercontinental Cup title — Highlights
India won the Intercontinental Cup final 2-0 as they beat Lebanon for the first time since 1977. Sunil Chhetri and Lallianzuala Chhangte scored for India.
Sunil Chhetri in action vs Lebanon (AIFF)
India beat Lebanon 2-0 in the Intercontinental Cup final on Sunday at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar to win the title.
Sunil Chhetri's 46th minute goal broke the deadlock before Lallianzuala Chhangte made it 2-0 in the 66th minute as India beat Lebanon for the first time since 1977.
India made a strong start to the match, dominating 57% possession in the first half. It was in the first minute of second half that the deadlock was broken, with Lallianzuala Chhangte providing an assist for Sunil Chhetri. Chhangte turned scorer in the 66th minute as India increased their lead.
This was also the Indian team's sixth consecutive clean sheet, equalling a record dating back to 1952.
As it happened:
Mahesh tests the keeper with a heavy shot in added time. It's a party for the men in blue today! The bench is ready in anticipation.
And it's Full Time! India win the Intercontinental Cup! An international trophy for Indian football - that's not a statement we can make every day.
This is India's first win over Lebanon since 1977. This was also India's 6th consecutive clean sheet, they equal a record dating back to 1951/52. What a historic day for Indian football!
We are at the end of the 90 minutes with Lebanon nowhere nearer goal. India's defenders stand strong. Subhashish comes on in added time as India go to a back three in the 4 minutes of added time.
Rahim Ali misses.
Lebanon get a good chance in the 81st minute as Anwar Ali loses Matouk. The shot is thankfully way over the bar.
If you think India's mentality would be to sit back after the 2-0 lead, think again. It's still India on the attack, Chhangte and Mahesh proving to be running engines down the flanks. There's no way forward for Lebanon.
India still shading the possession with 56% of it.
Naorem Mahesh and Rohit Kumar on, Ashique and Jeakson off. India do not relent with the attacks though. It's still the men in blue who are advancing.
And there's a second goal! Chhangte now the quickest to the free ball in the box. 2-0 to India! Now India are dominating!
IND 2-0 LEB
This would be India's first win over Lebanon since 1977 if the scoreline stays the same. This is third time Chhetri has scored against Lebanon, having scored once in each leg in the first round of World Cup Qualifiers in 2007, which the Cedars won 6-3 on aggregate. Can India have the calmness and composure to hold on to their 1-0 lead?
Lebanon making some aggressive changes. A tense half hour coming up.
Goal!!! The gates are broken after 3 goalless halves! Lallianzuala Chhangte comes out of nowehere, dribbles through a mass of legs and finds an onrushing Chhetri in the box. Chhetri just slots it in and points towards the right winger for the perfect assist.
IND 1-0 LEB
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