Defending champions India scored a vital 5-0 win against Bhutan at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi to move to the top of Group A after Afghanistan had upset Sri Lanka with a 3-1 win.After a jittery start both winger Clifford Miranda and striker Sunil Chhetri scored a brace after wing-back Syed Rahim Nabi had opened the scoring for India against a Bhutan side who didn't make any inroads against the Indian defence.
India were all over Bhutan in the initial stages, but the lack of finishing once more showed a major problem within the team as the long ball was often used from the back and a lack of using the flanks was also an early fault. India did score early on, but four times the assistant referee waved the flag correctly.
Then in the 29th minute Syed Rahim Nabi would score of a Clifford Miranda corner to cool down the Indian nerves. It was Clifford who added a second just before half-time on a second attempt after Sunil Chhetri had played the ball across the face of the goal.
After the break things remained the same and India would continue to score at intervals. Winger Clifford Miranda registered his second goal in the 58th minute to make it 3-0 for India before star striker Sunil Chhetri got onto the scoresheet. Chhetri, who was till now, playing the feeder and watching others find the target found it best to add his name to the scoresheet. He scored a brace in the 69th and 84th minute – the second one had a stamp of authority as he waded past the entire defence and placed it past the rival Bhutanese goalkeeper.
India now have it in their own hands to move into the semifinals and also top their group. The final group game is against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.
INDIA
1-Karanjit Singh; 4-Nirmal Chetri, 14-Mahesh Gawli, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi; 12-Anthony Pereira, 8-Climax Lawrence [C] (65' ??-Jewel Raja Sheikh), 21-Rocus Lamare, 15-Clifford Miranda (20-Lalrindika Ralte); 10-Jeje Lalpekhlua (62' 9-Joaquim Abranches), 11-Sunil Chhetri
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