India blank Kyrgyz Republic to clinch Hero Tri-Nation International Football Tournament 2023

Ravish Narvekar

The Blue Tigers had defeated Myanmar in their previous match by a solitary goal.

India crowned champions of the Hero Tri-Nation International Football Tournament 2023 following a comfortable 2-0 win over Kyrgyz Republic at Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal. Sandesh Jhingan gave the lead in the 34th minute, while their skipper Sunil Chhetri sealed the victory with a penalty goal in the 83rd minute.

Igor Stimac had few changes to his side following a solitary goal win over lowly ranked Myanmar in their last match as his regulars Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan and Brandon Fernandes made the comeback, while Suresh Wangjam, Anwar Ali and Pritam Kotal also made the start for Blue Tigers.

India had an early opportunity against the higher-ranked opponent as they were awarded a free-kick in the very 2nd minute following Uzdenov Magamed's tackle on Anirudh Thapa on the left flank. However, Brandon's curling strike from the set piece was nicely parried by rival keeper Tokotaev.

They had another opportunity from the free-kick in the 18th minute when Anwar was brought down just outside the box by Batyrkanov Ernist to give away a free-kick in the dangerous area. Brandon this time went for glory but once again Kyrgyz keeper Tokotaev came to rescue his side with a diving save. A few minutes before this, the Kyrgyz Republic came close to breaching India's last line as Atabaev Erbol tried to find his teammate in the box with a fine cross but Anwar came in his way with a timely interception.

Kyrgyz were awarded a freekick at the edge of India's box when Pritam made a reckless tackle on Alykulov Gulzhigit just outside the box where the Indian defender was cautioned by the referee. However, Sunil Chhetri cleared Shukurov Alimardon's goalbound strike from the set-piece.

The visitors made another foul just after crossing the half-hour mark as India got another opportunity from the set-piece. Brandon once again took responsibility for the free-kick and this time he inch-perfectly fed Jhingan in the goalmouth. The Indian lad made a clinical bottom-corner finish with his left footer to put India ahead in the 34th minute.

Indians managed to keep pressure on rivals in the remaining minutes of the session where Pritam, Anwar, Akash Mishra and Jeakson Singh made sure no rival can breach their defence line while Lallianzuala Chhangte and Brandon kept rivals last line on their toes.

Kyrgyz made an attacking start to the second session as they came with a series of attacks. Ernist and Alykulov Gulzhigit should have made the most of their opportunities but the Indian defence line proved to be too good for them. They had the best chance to level the terms in the 48th minute when Gulzhigit made a defence-splitting through pass to Zhyrgalbek Kairat who darted in the box and shoot at the rivals' goal but Indian keeper Sandhu came with a brilliant save to keep his side safe. Two minutes more and Kyrgyz had another opportunity when Gulzhigit made another through pass in the box but this time Sandhu came off his line to collect the ball before unmarked Ernist and Kairat could do any damage.

At the other end, Chhangte made back-to-back raids on the rivals from the right flank as first, his cross after the swift run on the wing set up Anirudh whose diving header couldn't connect, while unmarked Chhetri failed to control it in the box. The speedy winger came with another swift run on the right flank before feeding the ball in the box but this time also Anirudh could not reach it, while Chhetri who had controlled it this time, handled it.

Kyrgyz should have made it all square when they were awarded a free-kick on edge of the box in the 64th minute but Magamed's curling strike went over the crossbar.

With just a few minutes left to the final whistle, India's Suresh tried his luck from the top of the box after receiving a short pass from Chhangte but Kyrgyz keeper Tokotaev made a diving save to push the ball for a corner.

However, India managed to extend their lead in the 83rd minute when they were awarded a penalty kick following Kyrgyz substitute midfielder Davydov Nikolai's challenge on India's debutant Naorem Mahesh in the box. Jam-packed Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal witnessed Indian skipper Chhetri calmly converting the spot kick to make it 2-0.