After winning back to back games against Chinese Taipei and Kenya, India will lock horns against New Zealand, today in their final match of Intercontinental Cup, who already secured a place in final, which is due to be played on 10th of June. But India has some unfinished business to be done before the finals.
India won Chinese Taipei 5-0 comfortably but winning against Kenya was not that easy against the rain and wet pitch specially in the 1st half, but drier second-half helped India to seal a win in skipper Sunil Chhetri’s 100th match in which skipper was on target for two occasions.
While the Sunil Chettri remains the leading man in the attack, India’s defence must also be given the deserved credit for not leaking a single goal in the competition. The centre-back duo of Sandesh Jhingan and Anas Edathodika were exceptional in the air against Kenya, where keeping the ball on the ground was the tough job and both of them did a good job.
With same line up in the starting two games, and already secured a place in the final Stephen Constantine might be tempted to give a run to the likes of Ashique Kuruniyan, Subashish Bose and Salam Ranjan before the final’s
New Zealand has heavily rotated his squad in the first two games. After losing 2-1 to Kenya and winning 1-0 against the impoverished Chinese Taipei Side, New Zealand, coach Fritz Schmid will have to place the bets on the perfect starting 11, if they want to challenge full strength, inform Indian line up.
Before the skipper’s 100th game he requested to come and watch the team play which resulted in a full house against Kenya comparing to 25% filled stadium against Chinese Taipei and same in the game against New Zealand, Mumbai Football Arena is sold out.
It looks like in the country where cricket is treated more than a match, Football will also be getting the importance they deserved in some time with steps going in the right direction.
