Riding on Sunil Chhetri's brace, India eased past Cambodia 2-0 in their first game of Round 3 of AFC Asian Cup 2023 Qualifier on Wednesday. Though Igor Stimac’s men were not at their very best at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata but even that was enough for them to get three points from the match against a lower-ranked Cambodia. Chhetri scored the opening goal in the 14th minute after India were awarded a penalty. In the second half, the Indian captain scored another goal to double the lead. With it, Chettri advanced to 82 international goals, being just four short of Lionel Messi's record. Meanwhile, the win takes India to the top spot in Group D, thanks to their better goal difference than Hong Kong's. Get India vs Cambodia highlights here:
10:27 PM IST: Full Time - India Beat Cambodia 2-0
India get three points from the game and take the top spot in Group D in the third round of AFC Asian Cup 2023 Qualifer. Sunil Chhetri's brace helps them ease past Cambodia 2-0.
87': Chance missed! Ashique Kuruniyan did well to beat two defenders and enter the penalty box from the left but he failed execution as the goalkeeper came in front of him to save the goal.
85': Another good run from Udanta Singh. He entered the penalty box and tried to cut the ball back to centre to Liston Colaco but the ball met Cambodian defender in between. Meanwhile, Sahal Abdul Samad got a chance but his shot went off the target.
78': A poor shot from Glan Martins and you need to give credit to the Cambodian defenders for that. They kept it tight outside the penalty box and that saw Martins hitting it from way away and the shot was never on the target.
74': Another good run from Udanta Singh on the right flank but it was well negated by the Combodian defence. Udanta has kept the opposition defenders busy in the second half.
73': Substitution - Roshan Singh Naorem has been substituted by Pritam Kotal.
67': Substitution - Ashique Kuruniyan subtitutes Sunil Chhetri, while Glan Martins comes in place of Brandon Fernandes.
59': GOAL!!! Sunil Chhetri scores. He gets another chance to take a header and won't miss this time. Brandon Fernandes provided a beautiful pass from the left flak and Chhetri, who was standing unmarked, took full advantage of it. India 2-0 Cambodia.
57': Another corner for India as Udanta Singh tried to hit the ball on the post. Brandon Fernandes will take the strike. He serves the ball to Liston Colaco and the latter hits the ball well off the post.
50': Another chance missed by Sunil Chhetri. He got a good pass on the left side of the penalty box but his header went well off the target this time too.
49': Roshan Singh tried to pass the ball from the right side in the goal box but two of Cambodian defenders negated the threat. India got a corner.
09:39 PM IST: Second Half Kicks Off
The second half of the match has started. India will look to add some more goal to the tally while Cambodia will look to bounce back. Let's see who dominates whom...
09:23 PM IST: Half Time - India 1-0 Cambodia
India have a goal to their credit as Sunil Chhetri converted from the spot, but the Blue Tigers should have scored more. They created some chances but failed execution. Passing during attack could have been better. On the defensive front, the side was right on the money as the Cambodian forwards remained at bay. They failed to pose any real threat in India's penalty box.
45+1': Cambodia get a free kick from the edge of the penalty box... It was chipped well from Sokpheng but Gurpreet Singh collected it really well and negated the threat. And here is the half-time whistle from the referee. India lead 1-0 against Cambodia.
42': A powerful shot from Akash Mishra but he hit it directly into the hands of Hul Kimhuy. India get a corner as the ball deflected from Kimhuy's hand and got outside the line.
34': Liston Colaco passed the ball back to Brandon Fernandes after failing to go past the Cambodian defence but Fernandes hit the ball straight into the hands of goalkeeper Hul Kimhuy.
31': A yellow card for Sunil Chheri. He jumped on Choun Chanchav while trying to hit the ball. The Indian skipper apologised right away but the referee decided to show him a card.
26': Sieng Chanthea took a shot from the left flank. It posed no threat as it was off the target. Cambodia need to do better with their passing during attack. They cannot rely on just long shots for a goal.
22': Sunil Chhetri misses! The Indian captain got a pass from the right flank but his header was well off target. He was inside the penalty box and had a really good scoring opportunity.
20': Cambodia tried to create an attacking opportunity from the left flank but some calm and composed defending from India easily negated the threat.
13': GOAL!!! Sunil Chhetri provides India the lead. He gets to 81 international goals now, five short of Lionel Messi's record. It was a poweful hit towards the right of Hul Kimhuy and the keeper had no chance to be honest.
12': Good defence from Sandesh Jhingan. His header kept India safe. Meanwhile, Liston Colaco has been tackled in the opposition's penalty box and India get a penalty. Chhetri will take the strike.
9': Liston Colaco got a good pass on the left flank, but a heavy touch from him during the run saw him losing the ball possession.
6': Lack of coordination from the Indian team on the left flank. They are making errors in passing the ball.
2': Suresh Singh took a shot from outside the penalty box but hit it directly into the hands of Cambodia goalkeeper Hul Kimhuy.
08:27 PM IST: Time For National Anthem
Both the teams line-up for their respective national anthems. India start and Cambodia follow them.
08:20 PM IST: Here Is What India Coach Said Ahead Of The Game
08:03 PM IST: Starting XIs
India: Gurpreet (Goalkeeper), Jhingan, Mishra, Anwar, Roshan, Thapa, Brandon, Colaco, Suresh, Chhetri (Captain), Manvir.
Coach: Igor Stimac
Cambodia: Hul Kimhuy (Goalkeeper), Ken Chansopheak, Visal (Captain), Chanchav, Boris, Bin, Chanpolin, Suhana, Sodavid, Chanthea, Sokpheng
Preview:
106th-ranked Indian football team faces Cambodia in their first game of Round 3 of AFC Asian Cup 2023 Qualifier on Wednesday. While Igor Stimac’s men are coming on the back of three defeats in international friendlies, Cambodia come to the game after a 2-1 win over Timor-Leste in a home friendly. The IND vs CAM match that takes place at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata will see India playing at home after almost three years
07:55 PM IST: Welcome To India vs Cambodia Live Blog
Hello everyone, welcome to the space. India face Cambodia tonight at AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifier. You will get all the match and score updates here. Stay connected!
