The Indian football team defeated Mongolia 2-0. In its opening game of the Intercontinental Cup 2023 soccer competition on Friday at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Sahal Abdul Samad (2′) and Lallianzuala Chhangte (15′) both scored for India in the opening period. The game marked the Indian men’s football team’s debut in an important competition in Odisha.
With the victory, India moved up to second place overall for goals scored in the Intercontinental Cup 2023, behind Lebanon. Early on in the day, Lebanon defeated Vanuatu 3-1.
The Indian football squad, as the game progressed, made their intentions known right away by making offensive runs into the Mongolian half. Anirudh Thapa made a swift move along the right side before crossing the ball into the penalty area. Mönkh-Erdene Enkhtaivan of Mongolia was able to deflect it away from a running Sunil Chhetri by getting a hand to it.
Sahal Abdul Samad, who was on the ball and attentive, grabbed the errant ball and tucked it into the bottom corner to give the home team a 1-0 lead.
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India beat Mongolia
India continued to put pressure on the Mongolian defence after scoring the first goal in an effort to increase their lead. Lallianzuala Chhangte scored off the rebound after a Mongolian defender blocked Sandesh Jhingan’s header from Anirudh Thapa’s cross off the line as a result of the relentless pressure from a corner.
India continued to advance while Mongolia tried to score on a counterattack. The Indian defence, on the other hand, was up to the challenge and foiled all attempts by the Mongolian squad. India led 2-0 at the end of the first half.
The Indian football team concentrated on keeping ball control in the second half. In an effort to hold onto their lead. In contrast, Mongolia had a greater desire to attack in order to score their first goal. The Indian squad retreated and counterattacked as the game went on. Despite assaulting in waves, the Mongolians were unable to penetrate the Indian defence, and the hosts ultimately won the game.
The 164th-ranked Vanuatu will be the next opponent for the Indian football squad on Monday.
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