Igor Stimac‘s Indian team picket up their first victory of the 19th Asian Games 2023 at Hangzhou, China. After losing their opening game against the Hosts nation, the Blue Tigers responded pretty decently earlier today against neighbours Bangladesh by 1-0.
It was a tough game from a lot of persepectives and India had to go the hard way to win this imporatant Asian games fixture which was somehow their last chance to further sustain themselves in the tournament. That meant a win is the only way to proceed and that everything lies in their own hands and decision.
1️⃣ Calm Penalty ✅
3️⃣ Crucial Points ✅ @chetrisunil11’s goal from the penalty spot was enough to give the #BlueTigers 🐯 their first win in the #19thAsianGames 💙#INDBAN ⚔️ #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/nuHNhN07b3— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) September 21, 2023
Before the match, India received a major boost when Mumbai City FC sent Forward Gurkirat Singh to China after initially denying the request from Igor Stimac. Many would bother to argue that he proved to be the X factor for India in getting those crucial 3 points.
Although when the match began, he did not enter as a starter and India line-up with mainly the same players other than Chinglensana Singh who doubled up with Sandesh Jhingan at the heart of India’s defence and Goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh.
India did not get to the best of starts as Bangladesh got into all the action with a flash. Despite the scoreline against them, Javier Cabrera’s side played with a brilliant fusion of conservative, compact and semi-high pressing football.
India 🇮🇳 win. India 1 Bangladesh 0. Sunil Chhetri converts an important penalty to keep us in the hunt for the top-2 finish. A win over Myanmar in the next game would take us to the next round. 🫶🔥 #AsianGames2023 #INDBAN #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/6k19D80gt1
— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima) September 21, 2023
They were picking up the loose balls and more obvious than not they defended really well. Bangladesh were also able to capture the deflections and second ball to produce dangerous counter attacks and hit at India but missed out by just a deft touch that could have scored a goal.
The Bangladeshi’s were mainly defending and running back & forth to defend and get the ball of India’s feet. Sunil Chhetri’s side looked to be struggling to get the first touches right but they improved that later on in the match.
Left-winger Bryce Miranda heavily exploited Bangladesh’s left channel and kept providing the attacking thrust and sent crosses after crosses to meet a team mate. His work rate was just sensational as he was also involved in helping India keep their defensive structure in tact.
He was also crucial in winning the Penalty that helped India take the lead in 2nd half. Bryce Miranda was harshly fouled by Bangladeshi Captain inside their own box with the referee pointing straight at the Penalty spot.
Sunil Chhetri made no mistake and calmly slotted in the ball towards the left corner to and gave India some momentum to carry on for the next game against Myanmar in Asian Games 2023.
