The Indian football team has begun its campaign at the AFC Asian Cup 2019 with a thumping 4-1 victory over Thailand in their Group A opener in Abu Dhabi.
A brace from Sunil Chhetri, which took him ahead of Lionel Messi on international goals, formed the first two goals as India returned to the continental championship after eight years.
Chhetri gave India the lead in the 27th minute from the penalty spot, but Thailand went into half-time on level terms through a 33rd-minute goal from Teerasil Dangda.
The prolific striker put India back in front immediately after the interval, before further goals from Anirudh Thapa and substitute Jeje Lalpekhlua furthered India’s advantage.
The convincing victory at Al Nahyan Stadium provides an early boost to India’s bid to make it past the group stage at the Asian Cup for the first time. India face hosts and group favourites UAE next on Thursday, 10 January.
A 55-Year First for Indian Football
The last time India won a match at the Asian Cup, also their sole performance of note in the tournament’s history, was at the 194 edition in Israel. Wins over Hong Kong and South Korea earned the Indian team a technical ‘runners-up’ finish in what was a four-team competition back then.
From the meagre strengths, the Asian Cup has expanded to a 24-team event in its latest coming.
55 years had passed with India only qualifying for the tournament twice, and seven matches in 1984 and 2011 brought with them just one draw – and six defeats.
But the Blue Tigers, arguably, are much more of a force to reckon with in the present day; at 97, India’s ranking is second-best in their group.
UAE, the highest-ranked team in Group A at 79th in the FIFA standings, had needed a late penalty to snatch a point against 113th-ranked Bahrain earlier on Sunday, 6 January, which meant victory against world number 118 Thailand would see India set the early pace in the group.
They did so with what was a highly impressive second-half display, after a slow start in the opening period.
Chhetri Overtakes Messi
India’s – and Chhetri’s – first arrived against the run of play, after the Thai side got the better of the chances in the opening half hour.
Defender Theerathon Bunmathan conceded a penalty when he handled a rebound after goalkeeper Chatchai Bootprom had produced a fine save to deny Saranon Anuin. Chhetri brought the travelling Indian fans to life by calmly slotting the ball home.
After Thailand’s equaliser from a well-executed set-piece, India approached the second half with greater purpose.
They found an early reward when Ashique Kuruniyan and Udanta Singh combined to set up Chhetri, who fired through from 15 yards out for his 67th international goal, restoring India’s lead.
Anirudh Thapa finished off a swift counter-attack with a little over 20 minutes left on the clock to seal the result, before Jeje added further gloss to the scoreline with a curling strike from the edge of the box two minutes after coming on to replace Ashique.
UAE’s stalemate against Bahrain means India will virtually guarantee themselves a spot in the knockout rounds by avoiding defeat against the hosts. The format of the Asian Cup 2019 allows the top two teams from all six groups, in addition to four best third-placed finishers to qualify for the Round of 16.
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