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SAFF Championship 2023: Sunil Chhetri Hat-Trick Powers India To 4-0 Win Over Pakistan

Sunil Chhetri's glittering hat-trick laced India's 4-0 win over Pakistan in their SAFF Championship opener on Wednesday as the talisman became the second-highest Asian goal-scorer in international football. Ali Daei of Iran holds the record with 109 goals from 149 matches. Chhetri has 90 goals to his name. From the beginning of the match itself India brought forth their experience and class into play. Pakistan had pockets of doughty resistance, but they were not a match to India's cohesion and purpose on a rain-drenched night at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.

Watch: Huge Brawl Breaks Out Between India, Pakistan Players, Igor Stimac Sent Off

It took Sunil Chhetri just 16 minutes to put India in control as the skipper scored twice to put the hosts 2-0 against Pakistan in the SAFF Championship on Wednesday. Chhetri broke the deadlock inside the first 10 minutes, slotting home from close range, following Pakistan goalkeeper Saqib Hanif's howler. The forward then doubled the lead from the spot after Anirudh Thapa's effort struck Mamoon Moosa's left arm. Chhetri made no mistake to put India 2-0 in the 16th minute.

"Forget About The FIFA Rankings": Igor Stimac On Eve Of SAFF Championship Opener

India coach Igor Stimac on Tuesday warned his side against getting tricked by the relatively lower FIFA rankings of other teams in Group A going into the SAFF Championship 2023, and urged the Blue Tigers not to lose their intensity. India have been drawn with Pakistan, Nepal and Kuwait in Group A in the tournament. India will open their campaign against Pakistan on Wednesday in Bengaluru at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. "Forget about the FIFA rankings! All the teams in our group and in general in the tournament are very special. All four teams are quite efficient and can produce different kind of football. The crowd will love it as there will be a lot of goals. We have a very serious group and some tough opponents," said Stimac during the pre-match press conference.

Triumphant Indian Football Team Donates Rs 20 Lakh To Families Of Balasore Train Accident Victims

The Indian football team has decided to donate a part of the cash award it has received from the Odisha government for the Intercontinental Cup triumph towards "relief and rehabilitation" of families affected by the recent train accident in the state. Hosts India beat Lebanon in 2-0 in the title clash here on Sunday, to lift the trophy for the second time in three outings. Following the win, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had announced a cash reward of Rs 1 crore for the team, from which Igor Stimac's wards have "collectively" decided to donate Rs 20 lakh.

'Tongue Lashing From Coach At Half Time Pepped Us', Says Sunil Chhetri

The "tongue lashing" they got from head coach Igor Stimac at half time was the wake-cup call India needed to win the Intercontinental Cup, said national football team captain Sunil Chhetri. India failed to break Lebanon's defence in the first half before Chhetri's 87th international goal and Lallianzuala Chhangte's strike to help the hosts lift the title. "We got some tongue lashing from the boss at half time. We were nowhere close to where we were in the last game. It was the wake-up call that we needed," said Chhetri.

Gritty India Set To Take On Lebanon In Intercontinental Cup Final

Fierce competitive spirit will override camaraderie between rival coaches when India take on Lebanon in the final of the Intercontinental Cup football tournament in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. India chief coach Igor Stimac and his opposite number Aleksandar Ilic have been long-time friends ever since they were teammates at Spanish club Cádiz CF back in 1994 and there is plenty of mutual respect between the two. But Stimac's stance on the eve of the summit clash indicated not an inch would be given after two clear goal-scoring opportunities went abegging for India in their previous outing against Lebanon on Thursday.

Intercontinental Cup 2023: Lebanon Hold Hosts India To Goalless Draw

India missed the chances that came their way to settle for a goalless draw with Lebanon in the Intercontinental Cup football tournament here on Thursday. Continuing with his policy to make wholesome changes to his starting XI, head coach Igor Stimac benched a number of seniors including striker Sunil Chhetri and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. Defensive linchpin Sandesh Jhingan wore the captain's armband in Chhetri's absence. The result, however, did not matter as both teams had already sealed their places in the final of the four-nation tournament. Mongolia and Vanuatu were the two other teams taking part in the event.

Intercontinental Cup 2023: India Face Vanuatu With An Eye On Final

On a high after their convincing win over Mongolia, India will look to seal a final berth when they face Vanuatu in the four-nation Intercontinental Cup football tournament in Bhubaneswar on Monday. The hosts blanked Mongolia 2-0 in their tournament opener on Friday, while Vanuatu went down 1-3 to Lebanon. So, as things stand, the Blue Tigers will seal their final berth if they win against the team from Oceania. Lebanon are the other team that is in the hunt for a final berth as they face Mongolia in the earlier kick-off at the Kalinga Stadium.

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Igor Stimac Sport News

SAFF Championship 2023: Sunil Chhetri Hat-Trick Powers India To 4-0 Win Over Pakistan

Watch: Huge Brawl Breaks Out Between India, Pakistan Players, Igor Stimac Sent Off

"Forget About The FIFA Rankings": Igor Stimac On Eve Of SAFF Championship Opener

Triumphant Indian Football Team Donates Rs 20 Lakh To Families Of Balasore Train Accident Victims

'Tongue Lashing From Coach At Half Time Pepped Us', Says Sunil Chhetri

Gritty India Set To Take On Lebanon In Intercontinental Cup Final

Intercontinental Cup 2023: Lebanon Hold Hosts India To Goalless Draw

Intercontinental Cup 2023: India Face Vanuatu With An Eye On Final