Anirudh Thapa's lone goal gives India win over Myanmar in Tri-Nation International Tournament

Ravish Narvekar

The only goal of the match was scored in the added minutes of the first session.

Indian football team secured a hard-fought solitary goal win over Myanmar in the opening match of the Hero Tri-Nation International Football Tournament played at the jam-packed Khuman Lapak Stadium, Imphal on Wednesday evening.

The host who were playing at the home after eight months, gave the first start to Mehtab Singh. The 24-year-old was called in for the India preparatory camp following a brilliant performance in the Indian Super League with Mumbai City FC. Whereas youngster, Mohammed Yasir, Akash Mishra, Jeakson Singh and Lallianzuala Chhangte found their names in the starting XI for the Blue Tigers.

The match started with a yellow card in the very first minute as the visitors' defender Hein Phyo was booked following a reckless tackle on India's Akash Mishra which also resulted in a freekick for the host on the left flank. Anirudh Thapa nicely curled it from the set-piece but Jeakson Singh who leapfrogged in the box to connect, failed to keep his header on target as the ball went over the rivals' frame.

As the match progressed, India's Bipin Singh proved to be a real threat to Myanmar's last line as his darting raids on the left flank gave some tough-time to the visitors. He nicely cut it back to Anirudh after a swift run on the wing where the midfielder made a short cross to Sunil Chhetri in the box. However, the Indian skipper failed to keep his header on target.

Bipin came with another swift run on the wing as this time he directly tried to find his skipper with a fine cross but Myanmar defender Htet Aung made a timely interception at the cost of a corner. Chhetri should have opened the tally for the host from the resultant corner but India's most experienced forward on the pitch once again failed to find the net from Mohammed Yasir's well-taken corner.

The Blue Tigers continued to attack from the left flank as Bipin once again came with an unstoppable run on the wing and made a short pass to unmarked Chhetri infront of the rival goal. But before he could pull the trigger Myanmar defender Ye Min Thu brought down the Indian skipper in the box but the referee ignored the situation in the 17th minute.

Indian defence who just had a walk in the park in the first quarter, were breached in the 28th minute when a fine touch by Than Paing beat India's debutant Mehtab Singh but he could not make the most of the opportunity as his powerful strike from the top of the box went wide.

Chhetri was in the action again at the half-hour mark as Akash made a brilliant run and fed the Indian skipper with a perfect cross from the deep left flank but he once again could not find the target with just rival keeper Sann Naing at his mercy. Two more minutes and India came with their best chance of the match as Lallianzuala Chhangte found Chhetri in the box with a low cross where he just had to beat rival keeper Naing but the weak shot from the forward made it easy for the opponent custodian to rescue his side.

At the other end, Myanmar midfielder Aung Thu tried his luck from outside the box but Indian keeper Amrinder Singh nicely fisted it over the crossbar. Whereas, Anug's free-kick from just outside the box almost found the net in the late first session as a curling strike by the midfielder was deflected off Chhetri's head and was settling down in the back of the net but Indian shot-stopper Amrinder came with a brilliant save to keep his side safe.

The Host finally managed to break the deadlock in the added minutes of the session through Anirudh. Rahul Bheke nicely cut past an opponent and sent a cross in the box to find his teammate which hit rival defender Ye Thu and rolled to the midfielder who blasted it from point-blank range to give India a slender lead at halftime.

Myanmar who were trailing by a goal made an attacking start to the second session and came close to levelling the terms with five minutes. Lwin Aung smartly beat Indian defender Rahul and sent a through pass to onrushing forward MG Lwin in the box. However, Myanmar forward tapped wide from inside the 6-yard box with the Indian custodian to beat. Another opportunity went into vain for the visitors just after crossing the hour mark as Lwin Aung tried to find his teammate in the box with a fine cross from the left flank but Indian defender Chinglesana Singh made a timely clearance.

India's Bipin also had a chance to find his first international goal when Anirudh found him in the box with a long pass. But the speedy winger's chip shot failed to find the back of the nylons.

Indian skipper Chhetri who missed finding the net on a few occasions in the first session, finally sent the ball in the net with a clinical finish off Anirudh's inch-perfect cross. But the forward was unlucky as the assistant referee raised the flag for offside, despite the Indian skipper managing to beat the offside trap in the 74th minute. A minute later, fresh-legged Manvir Singh who replaced Chhangte, sent a dangerous cross to Chhetri in the box but once again luck was not on his side as his free header was brilliantly blocked by Myanmar keeper Naing.

Chhetri once again came close to finding the net in the 76th minute as this time he danced his way past a few opponents to enter the box but his goalbound strike was excellently saved by the Myanmar custodian.

Indian continue to attack but aimless strikes from their attackers and a few great saves by rival keeper Naing restricted the goalline.