Sunil Chhetri Nets Late Penalty as India Edge Bangladesh 1-0 to Keep Asian Games Knockout Hopes Alive – News18

Sunil Chhetri netted a penalty in the 85th minute to give India a slender 1-0 win over Bangladesh and keep alive his side’s hopes for the knockout rounds of the 19th Asian Games. India were on the receiving end of a 5-1 hammering at the hands of hosts China in their previous Group A clash but the Blue Tigers got their campaign back on track with a nervy win over Bangladesh who had their chances but were let down by wasteful finishing.

Indian wing-back Bryce Miranda was fouled by Bangladesh captain Rahman as the referee pointed to the spot after an evenly contest clash. Chhetri stepped up to take the penalty and score the winning goal on a frustrating outing for the Indian captain who wasn’t given proper service by his fellow teammates.

That being said, Miranda was a live wire down the left-hand touchline going up a down throughout the ninety minutes, building on his impressive showing against China.

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The defeat to the hosts had left India in third place with a goal difference of -4 coming into the Bangladesh game but they picked up three crucial points and will aim to finish in second place from Group A behind China as the second-best placed side.

Bangladesh with the defeat have been pushed to the cusp of elimination, the Bangla Tigers earlier faced a 1-0 defeat to Myanmar and the loss against India leaves them with a gargantuan task of upsetting China to qualify as one of the third best-placed teams in the groups.

Igor Stimac’s men had landed in China shortly before they took on the hosts, having no training sessions and feeling the effects of jet lag. Before the Bangladesh clash India fared much better, controlling the lion’s share of possession but they couldn’t find a way past the excellent Mitul in Bangladesh goal.

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The first half was largely quiet, India were kept at bay before towards the end of the half, Miranda’s cross gave Chhetri a chance to head the ball inside Mitul made three saves back to back with a flurry of defenders beside him to keep his side alive.

Rahul KP was also excellent, but his inexperience showed as the young winger wasted a brilliant chance to nod the ball home from Miranda’s cross instead, his fluffed effort reached Abdul Rabeeh who blazed over the goal in the second half.

Bangladesh were happy to sit back as they looked to counter, Dheeraj Singh made a key save to deny Rony one on one after Lalchungnunga was well beaten, but apart from that the young defender barely put a foot wrong.

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Miranda enjoyed plenty of success down the right wing as his persistence was paid off while he controlled a long pass and in the process drew a foul from the Bangladesh captain.

Chhetri cooly slotted past Mitul to give India a crucial three points as they will next take on Myanmar, in a straight-up battle for second place in Group A at Hangzhou Asian Games.