Team India celebrates after the victory against Cambodia
Led by Chhetri, India beat Cambodia 2-0 in their opening match of the Asian Cup qualifying final round match at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday.
Igor Stimac’s side were far from their best and failed to use their superior possession against the weaker side, but the 37-year-old Chhetri injured Chhetri to score goals on either side of the break (13th and 59th minutes). Gave.
The double strike brought him back to the third position in the list of highest scorers among active footballers in the world. With 82 goals in 127 matches, Chhetri is now behind Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (117) and Argentine virtuoso Lionel Messi (86).
After a tense start, in which his star centre-back Sandesh Jhingan earned a third-minute yellow card for arguing with the referee, Chhetri calmed the nerves by converting a 14th-minute penalty in a calm manner.
It was Liston Colaco who was trapped inside the box by Kok Boris of Cambodia. Chhetri held onto the middle stage and his powerful strike overtook a diving Hull Kimhuy.
But after that, it was a story of missed opportunities for the Blue Tigers, who failed to justify their 69 per cent possession to go into the break with a slim lead.
Chhetri missed a few headers and was even booked for a rough tackle on Chown Chanchal in the 30th minute as it was not the kind of start the Blue Tigers wanted against the lowly Angkor Warriors.
A few changes at the break – coming in for Sahal Abdul Samad and Udanta Singh, Manveer Singh and Anirudh Thapa – made the Blue Tigers more fluid in their attack.
Finally, with brilliant help from Brandon Fernandes, Chhetri completed his brace to give India a 2-0 cushion at the hour mark.
Goa announced their return to the starting XI with a measured cross and Chhetri rose high enough to link a free header and score his 82nd international goal.
In the 68th minute, Stimac took the Indian captain along with Ashiq Kuruniyan.
For Stimac, it was his first win on home soil since his appointment as the head coach of the Blue Tigers. Stimac has lost three times and drawn twice at home, scoring 13 goals before.