Football, Intercontinental Cup: Lallianzuala Chhangte shines as India beat Lebanon to clinch title

Igor Stimac had promised a super Sunday in Bhubaneswar, and his boys did everything to make sure their coach live up to his assurance.

With a solid 2-0 win over Lebanon, the Indian men’s senior team clinched the Intercontinental Cup at the Kalinga Stadium on Sunday.

In what was the first-ever tournament for the Blue Tigers in the Odisha capital, the fans were treated to a fantastic spectacle over the course of four matches, where India did not concede any goals en route to reclaiming the title they last won in 2018.

Stimac’s side did all the damage in the second half as Sunil Chhetri found the net almost immediately after the restart, getting on the end of an incisive Indian attack from the right. Player of the Match Lallianzuala Chhangte then doubled the advantage 20 minutes later with a simple tap-in.

#IntercontinentalCup #INDvLBN

India are the 2023 Intercontinental Cup winners!

Goals from Sunil Chhetri and Lallianzuala Chhangte helps India beat Lebanon in the final!

IND 2-0 LBNhttps://t.co/gUPyFauA6V pic.twitter.com/9n9Kb7kRZQ— The Field (@thefield_in) June 18, 2023

India had their foot on the gas pedal from the get-go as Lebanon struggled to string two passes together and get out of their own half.

In the fifth minute, Chhetri sent a first-time cross on a loose ball which went millimetres over the head...

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