New Delhi: Comprehensive win would be an understatement as the Men in Blue displayed a ruthless game of football to blank Maldives in their second league matchup of the Nehru Cup 2012 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here.
India were clinical in all the departments and toyed with their opposition to register a 3-0 win over their listless opponents. Indian skipper Chhetri scored a brace (45 pen, 70th), whereas Syed Rahim Nabi scored found the nets once (54th).
India now have two wins from two games under the tutelage of their new coach Wim Koevarmans and they are also leading the table with six points.
India made their intent clear right from the onset and were the more dominant side on display. They made first raid at the opposition’s box in the third minute of the match when left back Syed Rahim Nabi crossed from the left to charging Chhetri within the penalty area who failed to establish a connection.
Replicating their performance from their last match against Syria, India’s left flank was on fire again with Nabi and Clifford Miranda co-ordinated well and creates number of moves.
Nabi was a livewire on the pitch and did create few chances but bad finishing let the home side down.
10th minutes into the game, the left flank was once again in thick of action with Clifford sending a cross in the box after receiving a through ball from Nabi but the diminutive Chhetri could not reach the ball as the ball went over his head.
With Coach Koevarmans trying to instil the concept of passing football, the Indians tried hard to keep the ball on ground, but then most of the chances created were off the aerial balls.
With most of the action concentrated in the Maldives half, the action finally shifted towards Indian penalty area and a real goal scoring opportunity was wasted by Maldives. In the 34th minute of the match when Ali Ashfaq’s left footer from within the box found the defiant Subrata Paul who sent the ball out for a corner.
Chhetri who was unable to reach aerial balls occasionally shifted deep at times allowing attacking midfielder Francisco Fernandez to play upfront.
Just when it looked like the teams would walk into the breather without troubling the scorer, India was awarded a penalty after Nabi cross from the left was handballed by the Maldives right back Mohamad Sifan.
Chhetri slotted home from the spot to send India into the breather with a goal.
After the change of ends, Koevarmans substituted Sanju Pradhan with the tall Robin Singh in order to capitalise on the aerial balls which went
abegging in the first half.
India who adopted 4-4-1-1 formation in the first half changed to 4-4-2 with Robin joining Chhetri upfront while Francisco shifting to right midfield position.
India on the prowl throughout the match doubled the lead in the 54th minute after an onrushing Nabi headed in Clifford’s corner from the right.
With 2-0 up in the match, India maintained their stronghold on the match and tormented the Maldivian defence constantly.
India got their third goal after Francisco’s cross from the right was buried into the nets by Chhetri with a diving header.
Maldives had hardly regrouped from the lethal strike that Chhetri in the next minute hit the post after a solo run.
India did come close on few occasions but could not find the nets.
Chhetri was awarded the man of the match award for his two goals.
By Samikshan Dutta Choudhury
Indian Sports News
