Football captain Sunil Chhetri presented another master-class performance to guide India to a thumping victory against Chinese Taipei in the first match of the Intercontinental Cup at Mumbai. Chhetri led from the front with a hat-trick as the hosts won 5-0 against Taipei.
The leading goal-scorer for India, Sunil Chhetri, netted in the 14th, 34th and 62nd minute to complete his third international hat-trick. Udanta Singh netted another goal in the 48th minute and the last goal came from Pronay Halder in the 78th minute.
India enjoyed 67 percent of the ball possession in the match. Indian goal-keeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu enjoyed a relaxed time while guarding the post as there were rare Chinese Taipei attacks. “We are really happy with the result but 2019 Asian Cup is our main target,” Chhetri said after the game.
Coach Constantine added to his list of debutants and handed International debuts to Subhashish Bose and second half substitutes Ashique Kuruniyan and Alen Deory who replaced Halicharan Narzary and Chhetri respectively.
