Date:08/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/08/stories/2008080862251900.htm

Sport - Football

Chhetri strike takes India into final

Abhijit Sen Gupta

— PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

The HERO: Sunil Chhetri, who scored the all-important goal, dodges past Myanmar’s Tun Tun Win and Myo Min Tun.

Hyderabad: A second half goal by Sunil Chhetri enabled India defeat Myanmar 1-0 and enter the final of the AFC Challenge Cup football tournament here on Thursday.

The muddy ground was made worse by heavy rain which started just before the break. The conditions made the ball stop and the players had a difficult time in making any moves. Despite that there was plenty of excitement at either end.

India’s skipper Baichung Bhutia made his presence felt right away when in the second minute he essayed a snap shot which almost caught the rival goalie by surprise. He reacted just in time to grab the ball.

Thereafter for a long spell Myanmar dominated the exchanges. Aung Kaw Moe made several good runs up the right flank and each time he posed a threat to the Indian defence.

Lucky break

Later Moe finished his run with an accurate pass to Yan Paing in the centre.

The tall Myanmar striker let fly with a pile driver but luckily for India the ball hit defender Anwar on the chest and rebounded back into play.

Just before the break Chhetri had a golden chance. He was sent ahead by a long pass from Surkumar Singh in midfield and had only the goalkeeper to beat.

But Chhetri made a mess of this opportunity by taking a hasty shot which went well wide of the target.

After resumption India took the upper hand. The Myanmar goal survived some anxious soon after the break when a prolonged melee inside the box saw Indian players take at least three shots at the goal. But every time the ball was deflected or blocked by the Myanmar defence.

After a few misses, the all-important match-winner came in the 82nd minute. Chhetri made amends for all his earlier lapses by putting his header into the net off a long pass by Bhutia from the right.

To meet Tajikistan

In the second semifinal of the day, Tajikistan beat DPR Korea 1-0. The scorer was Muhidinov Dzhomikhon in the 39th minute. Tajikistan and India will clash for the title on Sunday.