India beats Lebanon to win Intercontinental Cup title:

Played at Kalinga Stadium, India:

The Indian men’s football team beat Lebanon 2-0 to win the Intercontinental Cup 2023 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. It was India’s first win over Lebanon in 47 years and its second in eight meetings.

Goal scorers for India:

Captain Sunil Chhetri and Lallianzuala Chhangte scored a goal each as India won their second Intercontinental Cup title. Indian captain Sunil Chhetri gave the home team the lead in the first minute of the second half. Forward Lallianzuala Chhangte scored in the 66th minute and doubled India’s lead. He also assisted in the first goal and was declared man of the match.

Gameplay:

India initially opted for high press and dominated the first 10 minutes. Lebanese counter-attacks, however, forced India to go for a more balanced approach. The Indian backline, led by Sandesh Jhingan, stayed resolute and denied any openings. India had a better start to the second half with Sunil Chhetri netting his 87th international goal in the 46th minute.

Nikhil Poojary nutmegged the Lebanese defender and sneaked in a cheeky pass to Lallianzuala Chhangte, who made a brilliant run and provided a low cross to Sunil Chhetri, who guided it home from close distance.

In the 66th minute, Naorem Mahesh Singh fired a shot from inside the box. Lebanese goal-keeper Ali Sabeh made the save but Lallianzuala Chhangte quickly pounced on the rebound to make it 2-0.

India's domination:

India dominated 56 percent of the ball possession and had 13 shots at goal compared to 12 from Lebanon.

It was simple game management from India, who did not take any unwanted risks and remained alert at the back to preserve their two-goal lead. Perhaps the closest Lebanon came to scoring in the entire game was in the 80th minute when Maatouk skied Mahdi Zein’s cross from six yards out.

Playing 11:

India XI-

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Nikhil Poojary, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Akash Mishra, Jeakson Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Sunil Chhetri (C), Ashique Kuruniyan

Lebanon XI-

Ali Sabeh (GK), Mohammad El Hayek, Hussein Zein, Mouhammed Ali Dhaini, Hassan Matouk (C), Hassan Saad, Nader Matar, Wahid Chour, Zein Al Abidine Farran, Ali Tneich, Karim Darwich.

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