Intercontinental Cup 2023: India begins campaign with win v/s Mongolia- Highlights
India begins their Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023 campaign with a comfortable win against Mongolia.
Sahal Abdul Samad in action against Mongolia in the Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023. (Source: Indian Football/ Twitter)
India defeated Mongolia 2-0 in the Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. Sahal Abdul Samad and Lallianzuala Chhangte scooped up the goals for the Blue Tigers.
As it happened:
A huge shout out to the fans ins Odisha who came in numbers to back the Blue Tigers just days after disaster hit. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of affected people!
India starts the tournament with a statement win over Mongolia, a weaker side however it will help them build the confidence for the tougher sides. India and Lebanon sits on top of the table as of now.
Mongolia have a last minute burst of energy and they are attacking, India are defending well and Jhingan gets booked in the process.
Naorem Mahesh wins a freekick just outside the box, Thapa whips it in. Rohit Kumar gets a touch on it but his header is denied by the keeper.
That could have gone in! That was the best chance Mongolia had so far in the game, Amrinder couldn't get a hold but he got a touch and that was enough to keep the ball out.
Nikhil Poojary whips in a cross from the right-side into the box, Chhangte slips and goes down but he manages to slide the ball to Thapa. Thapa tries to pass it to Akash Mishra, however it is kept outside by the defenders.
Apuia and Sunil Chhetri comes off for Jeakson Singh and Rahim Ali.
Ayush and Namsrai of Mongolia comes off for Gangtogtokh and Munkh-Erdene