In the third match of the Intercontinental Cup, India defeated Kenya by 3-0. Indian captain Sunil Chhetri scored two goals in his 100th match. In the 65th minute, Kenya’s player hit Chhetri in the penalty area. After which the referee gave the penalty to India. Chhetri converted a penalty into the goal in the 68th minute of the game. After that in the 71st minute, JJ scored goal No.2 for India and maintain their lead by 2-0. In the 92nd minute, Chhetri hit his second goal. Both teams were 0-0 at half-time. This was the 100th international match of Sunil Chhetri. He is the second Indian footballer to play 100 or more matches. Before that, former captain Baichung Bhutia (104 matches) had crossed the figure.
This is India’s third win against Kenya and any African country. Talking about the African countries, since 1960, India has won only matches, against Zambia, Namibia, and Kenya only. India has lost 1-1 match from Ghana, Algeria, and Morocco and have been lost three games from Zambia.
In the first half of the game, both the teams could not score any goals. India dominates Kenya in the second half. During this time the ball is mostly held in its own possession. In the 65th minute of the match, when Sunil Chhetri was moving towards the Kenya goalpost, a Kenyan player hit him on the back. The referee gave the penalty on this. Sunil Chhetri did not make any mistake to use this opportunity. In the 68th minute, again he reached to the goalposts of Kenya.
After the 2-0 lead, India’s victory was almost certain. Injury time was running, but Sunil Chhetri’s goal was to starve. He was looking more aggressive. During this time he took the ball and ran towards Kenya’s goalpost. The goalkeeper of Kenya came a bit forward in the wake to stop the ball, then Chhetri reached the ball post on top of his head and made sure that India won the match 3-0.
After the match, Sunil Chhetri thanked all the supporters who were come in the stadium in a large number, “Thank you very much fans! You do not know what it means. Little support will take us far away. we are going to give everything. ” Chhetri further said, “It is very special to play a stadium with an audience. I promise you that whenever we play we will contribute our 100 percent.”
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