India registered their first ever win in the Asian Cup since the 1964 edition as they romped past Thailand 4-1 at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, thanks to goals from Sunil Chhetri, Anirudh Thapa and Jeje Lalpekhlua.
Chhetri's penalty (27') gave India the lead before Thailand hit back through Teerasil Dangda (33'). However, India turned on the charm in the second half with another strike from Chhetri (46') and goals from Thapa (68') and Jeje (80') sealed the result and sent India to the top of Group A.
Stephen Constantine opted to hand Ashique Kuruniyan a start alongside Sunil Chhetri in attack.
India started better of the two sides when Kuruniyan made a run down the left as he ran past two Thailand defenders and crossed into the box. However, there was no Indian shirt to meet the delivery.
In the 11th minute, midfielder Thitiphan Punagchan’s audacious effort from outside the box missed the far post by whiskers.
Midway through the first half, Thailand won a free-kick in the Indian half and the delivery from Do saw Gurpreet block the resulting shot from a Thai player with Anas clearing the danger for a corner.
Anas once again made a crucial interception after Teerasil Dangda was sent through by Songkrasin by sweeping the ball off his feet.
However, it was India who took the lead against the run of play. Kuruniyan made a swashbuckling run down the left and his effort came off the goalkeeper Budrom but ricocheted off Bunmathan’s hand which saw the referee award India a spot-kick. Chhetri stepped up and sent the custodian the wrong way to make it 1-0 for Constantine’s side.
Thailand didn’t stay behind for long as they equalized in the 33rd minute. Bunmathan’s free-kick from the left saw an unmarked Dangda head the ball home with Gurpreet off his line and the defence all over the place.
India should have taken the lead soon after when Kuruniyan chested the ball down for Chhetri who couldn’t sort his feet out and could only win a corner.
The Blue Tigers bounced back in style immediately after the break. Songkrasin lost the ball and Thapa initiated the counterattack , finding Udanta Singh down the right who made a blazing run and crossed for Kuruniyan. The Kerala winger back-heeled it for the onrushing Chhetri whose first time shot sailed into the back of the net.
Soon after, Kotal too had an attempt from distance which Budrom collected safely. Chhetri could have completed his hat-trick as he got on the end of a Thapa corner-kick and his header went over the bar.
Milovan Rajevac made a substitution as he moved Bunmathan into midfield from left-back and brought in Wiriyadomsiri.
Chhetri had another opportunity in the 63rd minute when Kotal won the ball for India and released Udanta down the right. The right winger made a lung-busting run and his cross was fumbled by the Thai goalkeeper. But Do was on hand for Thailand to prevent Chhetri from turning the ball in.
India scored their third goal in the 68th minute through Anirudh Thapa. The midfielder once again kick-started the move before Chhetri released Udanta. The right winger was closed down by Wiriyadomsiri as he found an unmarked Thapa who coolly chipped it into the far corner.
Dangda could have scored his second of the evening but Anas put his body on the line to concede a corner.
India rubbed further salt to Thailand’s misery when Narzary sent a ball for Jeje and the Mizoram striker chipped the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the area.
The Blue Tigers saw off the rest of the game with ease as they savoured a great result on a big night.
YashrajNagarwal
208
this man played great today his speed is like fire indian mbappe udanta singh kumam . he deserve to play in european league .
joohnny10
184
india will play in world cup one day
Proud_Being_A_Cule
154
You call Indian Ramos, I hear Sandesh Jhingan You call Indian Marcelo, I hear Subhashish Bose You call Indian Dani Alves, I hear Pritam Kotal You call Indian Pique, I hear Anas Edathodika You call Indian Busquets, I hear Pronay Halder You call Indian Reus, I hear Aniruddh Thapa You call Indian Bale, I hear Udanta Singh You call Indian Modric, I hear Holicharan Narzary You call Indian Ronaldo, I hear Jeje Lalpekhlua You call Indian Messi, I hear Sunil Chhetri Last, but not the least, You call Indian DDG, I hear GSS(Gurpreet Singh Sandhu)
AntoJaison
139
Chhetri is India's CR7. He is like vine, getting better with age. However young Thappa should play supportive to the forward. His finishing is impressive.
zucasuy
118
proud to be Indian.... ISL makes all this happened,, i couldn't imagine when i saw that Sunil Chetri became 2 top international scorer lastly i can sleep well tonight
ESPANYOL007
117
India with it's victory after 55 years back the blue 🔥💪💪🔥
Murugan
112
India🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 I = Incredible Team N = Need Energy D = Danger Performance I = In Form Players A = Attacking Team
Parthlm10
107
First comment for my country! Like if you think India will win Asia Cup 😍
vehacstz
107
FACT: Sunil has scored more goals than messi at national level!
Enriqueze
97
Winner Winner Thai Dinner!!!
riyabnt
85
ashik kuruniyan the man from malappuram was played fantastically and ball didn't gone from his legs unbelievable ball control and accurate passes he really given his 100% also anas edathodika and jinghan the great wall of india was really played like pique and puyol super understanding from them and well organized defence overall a mind blowing game from indian team
Lathu
65
Sunil Chethri became the Highest active goal scorer for a country after Ronaldo Ronaldo - 85 goals Chethri - 67 goals Messi - 65 goals
Penabdeimz
46
If india plays like this then one day surely then will in world cup #bluetigers
Cai
15
You call Indian Ramos, I hear Sandesh Jhingan You call Indian Marcelo, I hear Subhashish Bose You call Indian Dani Alves, I hear Pritam Kotal You call Indian Pique, I hear Anas Edathodika You call Indian Busquets, I hear Pronay Halder You call Indian Reus, I hear Aniruddh Thapa You call Indian Bale, I hear Udanta Singh You call Indian Modric, I hear Holicharan Narzary You call Indian Ronaldo, I hear Jeje Lalpekhlua You call Indian Messi, I hear Sunil Chhetri Last, but not the least, You call Indian DDG, I hear GSS(Gurpreet Singh Sandhu)
Where is India Karius?
BarcaBoy12
14
Wow !!!!!! 😍😍👊👊so happy to hear that come on guys take all the challenges and pass them through whoever the opposition might be we should give out our best and should not give up......... Really so impressive and proud to see u win this team really deserve to win the Asia Cup........ Chak de India 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳...... Fan Banna Padega Well done Sunil Chettri proud of u 👏👏
[image]
this is our first win in asia cup since 1964..We can qualify for knockout this year.. lets goooo
BarcaBoy12
12
ye Jada ho gaya
we can.. wc 2016 will feature 48 teams.. means 8 teams from asia.. we can.. we will...
lingesh
8
Well, it's true there is no Indian Neymar who can easily fall down on the field and roll on the ground just to get nominated for an Oscar award!
I should give award only for you for your stupid and non thinking comments