SAFF Championships: Sunil Chettri scores but 10-man Bangladesh hold India

Male, October 4

New day, same old story for Igor Stimac’s India.

Talisman Sunil Chhetri scored his 76th international goal, Bangladesh - a man down - struck back as India began their SAFF Championships campaign with a 1-1 draw here today.

The 37-year-old Chhetri, playing in 121st match for India, struck in the 27th minute to place himself just a goal shy of legendary Brazilian Pele (77 goals from 92 matches). He now sits fourth in the list of highest scorers among active footballers, behind Cristiano Ronaldo (111), Lionel Messi (79) and UAE’s Ali Mabkhout (77).

In attacking mood from the get-go, India were always exposed to counterattacks. Bangladesh almost caught them napping after Ibrahim whipped in a low cross from the left for Motin Mia in early stages of the game.

The neighbours also got a few corners but the momentum shifted soon and India started dominating the proceedings. Udanta Singh, who returned after missing two friendlies against Nepal, bombarded the opposition’s box with looping crosses every now and then.

Manvir Singh misfired from one such cross in the 24th but Chhetri converted three minutes later. Pritam Kotal released Udanta on the right flank who cut back and a perfectly-placed Chhetri smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

India survived a scare in the 40th, this time also from a swift counterattack from the Bangladeshis. But, goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a diving save against Biplo Ahmed’s shot to keep India’s lead intact.

After the break, India got a numerical advantage in the 54th when Biswanath Ghosh was sent off for bringing down Liston Colaco with only the goalkeeper in front.

But the Bangladeshis, playing under a new coach after the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, shocked India in the 74th through Yasir Arafat’s diving header from a corner. — TNS, Agencies

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