India comfortably defeated Cambodia 2-0 at the Vivekanand Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium on Wednesday in their first game of Group D at the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers 2023.
For Blue Tigers, Skipper Sunil Chhetri scored a brace (14′, 60′).
India maintained possession and never looked in doubt from the very first minute of the match. Liston Colaco attacking down from the left in the 13’, was brought down inside the box and India was awarded a penalty. Skipper Chhetri made no mistake to give the Blue Tigers the lead.
India dominated 69% of the ball in the first half and had seven shots on goal compared to Cambodia’s three.
India started attacking the Cambodia box more frequently and finally found the goal in the 60’. Brandon, put a cross left towards the far corner and Sunil Chhetri made no mistakes and gave India a much-needed bolster.
India kept looking for the third goal and Cambodia, despite trailing 2-0, were forced to sit back and defend for the rest of the game.
India will next face third-placed Afghanistan on Saturday who lost to Hong Kong 2-1 earlier in the day.
Picture Courtesy: AIFF Media
