In a historic match in on this day 2019, Indian Football Team skipper Sunil Chhetri, delivered a stellar performance, scoring a brace to lead the country to a stunning 4-1 victory over Thailand in the AFC Asian Cup. This triumph marked India’s first win in the tournament since 1964, making it a significant moment in the nation’s football history.
Chhetri, playing in his second Asian Cup and 105th match, showcased his goal-scoring prowess with strikes in the 27th minute (from a penalty) and the 46th minute, bringing his international goal tally to 67.
Everpresent Sunil Chhetri:
The historic night unfolded at the Al Nahyan Stadium, where midfielder Anirudh Thapa (68th minute) and second-half substitute Jeje Lalpekhlua (80th minute) also found the back of the net, completely outclassing Thailand. Chhetri’s stellar performance not only secured a crucial victory but also showcased his leadership and goal-scoring abilities on the international stage.
This win put India in a favourable position, and a draw in either of the upcoming matches against UAE and Bahrain could have seen them through to the knockout round. Ranked 97th in the FIFA charts, India’s unexpected and impressive show in the second half demonstrated their potential to compete at the continental level. The victory was a remarkable turnaround, considering Thailand’s dominance in the first half, where they had 70% possession and more shots on target.
5 years later India find themselves in the same competition, led by none other than Sunil Chhetri.
India has been placed in Group B, where they will encounter strong competition from Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria in the AFC Asian Cup 2023. The journey is set to kick off with a challenging match against the Socceroos on January 13, followed by a fixture against Uzbekistan on the 18th. The group stage will wrap up with a crucial match against Syria on the 23rd.
