Soccer-Sahal's late strike keeps India's Asian Cup hopes on track
By Michael Church
Igor Stimac Sport News
Sahal's late strike keeps India's Asian Cup hopes on track
HONG KONG : Sahal Samad's injury-time strike earned India a dramatic 2-1 victory over Afghanistan in Kolkata on Saturday that keeps the country's hopes of qualifying for next year's Asian Cup finals alive.
AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: Focus On Sunil Chhetri As India Take On Afghanistan
Indian men's football team face Afghanistan in their second match of the third round of AFC Asian Cup qualifiers on Saturday at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata. The Blue Tigers who beat Cambodia in their first match on Wednesday, thanks to captain Sunil Chhetri's brace, could take a giant step towards confirming their presence in next year's AFC Asian Cup finals with a victory on Saturday. India head coach Igor Stimac sounded confident ahead of the match against Afghanistan but also showed plenty of respect to their opponent as he addressed their physical attributes during the pre-match press conference on Friday.
Sunil Chhetri in focus again as India face Afghanistan
Sunil Chhetri would look to continue from where he left against Cambodia as India face Afghanistan in their second match of the Asian Cup Qualifiers on Saturday. On an evening of missed opportunities, the 37-year-old veteran struck a goal in each half to give Igor Stimac's side all three points, ensuring the group hosts keep ahead of Hong Kong on goal difference after Jorn Andersen's team won 2-1 over Afghanistan in the first match on Wednesday. Seeking to make a second successive Asian Cup Finals, the Chhetri-led India would look to bring out their best, especially up front with the likes of Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Udanta Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan and Roshan Singh hoping to improving their finishing abilities.
"Need To Start Learning To Play Without" Sunil Chhetri: India Coach Igor Stimac After Star Striker's Brace In Asian Cup Qualifiers
Indian football team head coach Igor Stimac wants his attacking players to start learning to play without talisman Sunil Chhetri, and score some goals too. At 37, Chhetri is at the fag end of his career, but India still needed him to score the two goals and start their Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign with a win over Cambodia in Kolkata on Wednesday. Stimac said it's high time that players such as Udanta Singh, Manvir Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan, Sahal Abdul Samad and Liston Colaco start scoring. "It's again Sunil. Others tried to get it but not finding a way. So I expect goals from Liston, Manvir, Udanta, Aashique, Sahal. They all need to start scoring. We need to start learning... The boys need to start learning to play without Sunil -- simple as that," Stimac said after the match.
Boys need to start learning to play without Sunil Chhetri: Igor Stimac
Stimac wants his attacking players to start learning to play without talisman Sunil Chhetri, and score some goals too. At 37, Chhetri is at the fag end of his career, but India still needed him to score the two goals and start their Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign with a win over Cambodia here on Wednesday. Stimac said it's high time that players such as Udanta Singh, Manvir Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan, Sahal Abdul Samad and Liston Colaco start scoring.
Chhetri strikes twice as India make winning start to Asian Cup qualifying
HONG KONG :India's Sunil Chhetri scored twice to take his international tally to 82 goals in a 2-0 win over Cambodia on Wednesday in Kolkata as Igor Stimac's side made a winning start to the third round of qualifying for next year's Asian Cup.
Chhetri strikes twice to ensure India make winning start
HONG KONG : India's Sunil Chhetri scored twice to take his international tally to 82 goals in a 2-0 win over Cambodia on Wednesday in Kolkata as Igor Stimac's side made a winning start to the third round of qualifying for next year's Asian Cup.