Indian football team players celebrate Sunil Chhetri's opening goal against Tajikistan. Get highlights and analysis of the India vs Tajikistan Intercontinental Cup football match below.
Tajikistan stormed the Indian castle in the second half, scoring four goals to beat the home side 4-2 in their Intercontinental Cup football match in Ahmedabad on July 7. Komron Tursunov, Sheriddin Boboev, Muhammadjon Rahimov, Shahrom Samiyev scored for Tajikistan. Earlier, Sunil Chhetri scored twice, including from the penalty spot as the Indian football team went into the break with a 2-0 lead. Lallianzuala Chhangte earned the penalty in the fourth minute of the match which Chhetri converted with ease. There after, Tajikistan started pressing the Indian defence, but failed to capitalise. They were made to pay when Chhetri scored again in the 41st minute. All of that, however, changed in the second half when the Tajikistan side came out with renewed vigour and efficiency up front. (Get highlights and analysis of the India vs Tajikistan Intercontinental Cup match below).
The #BlueTigers? are in the ?? #HeroIC? kicks off in an hour⏰?#INDTJK #BackTheBlue #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/M5jpoR78ek
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 7, 2019
Tajikistan has players who are younger than us. They are a dangerous side, says Indian football team coach Igor Stimac just ahead of kickoff. He also adds that the focus is on youngsters in the Indian set-up but they are keen to defend the title and will play all out for victory.
Here’s how the two teams will line-up ⚔️ for the opening game of #HeroIC? 2019?#INDTJK #BackTheBlue #BlueTigers #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/HMuCU2MEPv
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 7, 2019
Coach Igor Stimac has handed a debut cap to young defender Narender Gahlot, 18, who plays for Jamshedpur FC.
Tajikistan coach Usmon Toshev has fielded a young side and insisted ahead of kickoff that he is taking this tournament as a preparation for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
No Sandesh Jhingan, no Subashish Bose, no Pronay Halder. Those are the big names missing today.
Jhingan is, apparently, not fully fit. What the problem is, is unclear. Regardless, lots of fresh new faces. Lots of young faces. Should be a lot of fun.
Anthem time. Tajikistan’s anthem is straight out of Star Wars. It’s ominous, inspiring, melancholic and appropriately melodic. The correct mix for any anthem.
India’s anthem, er, is not ominous at all.
The stadium, it must be said, is pretty well filled. That cheer at the end of the anthem is very loud. Safe to say, that if it continues, then this year, Chhetri may not need to make a plea to fans to come and watch them play.
The referees explain to both captains what the two sides of the coin are called. Heads and tails apparently. Did you know that? Toss done. Photo clicked. And the coin is given to the ‘Hero Super Fan’ to pocket. It’s time for kickoff. Off we go. India will kick off from left to right in blue. Tajikistan right to left in red. Just like our banner image.
#BlueTigers debut for the young @NarenderGahlot ???#INDTJK #HeroIC #IndianFootball #BackTheBlue pic.twitter.com/XaHJpYpM7v
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 7, 2019
1’ India kick off, but hand the ball back to Tajikistan, who attack then concede a freekick at the edge of the India box. No harm done. They look like a fast side.
2’ India ping the ball about and then Chhangte slides in, gets a bit of the ball but also gets the man. Freekick.
3’ Penalty to India!!!!
Outstanding work from Sahal, the heart of that move. He spun away and released Mandar rao Desia on the left who plays it to Chhangte. Asrorov, could have cleared easily, but doesn’t and instead brings down Chhangte.
4’ Gurpreet is taking the penalty. We kid. Chhetri takes it, of course. And dinks it in. A panenka in the third minute, and India have the lead. Number 69 for India’s number 11.
5’ Ooooo. Boboev misses a good chance. A cross from the left catches Narender napping, but Boboev heads it over.
7’ Tajikistan again pass the ball around and come from the left. Ehsoni releases Rahimov, but Adil comes and clears. And clears hard. The ball will fall in Gandhinagar. One hopes.
9’ Sahal again, with some brilliant footwork, plays it to Thapa, who finds Udanta across the field on the right with a pinpoint ball. Udanta, cant get it down legally though. Uses his hand....
Get the latest reports & analysis with people's perspective on Protests, movements & deep analytical videos, discussions of the current affairs in your Telegram app. Subscribe to NewsClick's Telegram channel & get Real-Time updates on stories, as they get published on our website.
