Preview: Sunil Chhetri will be the cynosure of all eyes as he seeks to make his 100th international memorable by continuing his scoring spree in the Intercontinental Cup match against Kenya on Monday. With 59 goals to his credit, the talismanic striker is India’s all-time leading scorer. Another win at the Mumbai Football Arena will ensure the home team’s passage to the final of the tournament, which is being used as preparation for next year’s Asian Cup. [caption id=“attachment_4492687” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Sunil Chhetri from the opening match of the Intercontinental Cup. Image Courtesy: AIFF[/caption] The 97th ranked side is on a high having drubbed Chinese Taipei 5-0 in the tournament opener. Chhetri was in imperious form, scoring his third hat-trick in international football, and he would look to continue in the same manner against the physical stronger African team, which likes to attack. Chhetri and his strike partner Jeje Lalpekhlua have shown in the past that if they get going, any defence can be breached. India coach Stephen Constantine has an option upfront in Balwant Singh and, depending on the situation of the match, he can be considered. If the Chhetri-led Indian forward line is able to strike at will again, then the Kenyans will have some tough time at the back. India have an array of attacking midfielders like Udanta Singh, Anirudh Thapa and Pranoy Halder, who clicked in the last game. Udanta and Pranoy scored against Chinese Taipei and they will certainly start on Monday. India has an equally strong defence with the experienced Sandesh Jhinghan and Pritam Kotal manning the backline. Add to it the likes of Narayan Das and Subhashis Bose, and the line-up looks solid. Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is the best in the business and his role will be crucial after a game in which his service was rarely required. Constantine was pleased after his side put up a dominant show in the last game but had warned that they should not get carried away. India are ranked much higher and are used to the conditions here. Kenya, on the other hand, would look to spoil Chhetri’s party. Their coach Sebastian Minge had described India as a quality side. India Squad: GOALKEEPERS: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith DEFENDERS: Pritam Kotal, Anas Edathodika, Salam Ranjan Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Lalruatthara, Narayan Das, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Subhasish Bose MIDFIELDERS: Udanta Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan, Rowllin Borges, Anirudh Thapa, Pronay Halder, Md. Rafique, Halicharan Narzary, Laldanmawia Ralte FORWARDS: Sunil Chhetri, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Balwant Singh, Alen Deory. Match starts at 8 PM.
Highlights, Intercontinental Cup 2018, India vs Kenya: Sunil Chhetri marks 100th appearance with brace as hosts win
Catch the live score and updates from the second match of the Intercontinental Cup between India and Kenya. This will be Sunil Chhetri’s 100th match for India.
 "Highlights, Intercontinental Cup 2018, India vs Kenya: Sunil Chhetri marks 100th appearance with brace as hosts win")
What a day it has been for Indian football and captain Sunil Chhetri!!! The skipper showcased a brilliant performance in his 100th match by scoring a brace on either side of Jeje Lalpekhlua’s blinder.
His clarion call for football fans across the country to fill in the stadium rang loud and the fans responded by coming in throes to watch the match against Kenya.
Chhetri and Co gave it their all in a rain-affected first half and a closely contested second to provide the fans everything that was promised.
As I said, what a day for Indian football and Sunil Chhetri.
That’s it from us and join us again on Thursday as India take on New Zealand. May the rain gods be kinder and the crowds repeat their performance from today.
Hindi actor Varun Dhawan extended his wishes too
Great win for team india and that beautiful goal by the captain @chetrisunil11. Well done #teamindia #proud
— Varun sunny sanskari Dhawan (@Varun_dvn) June 4, 2018
Indian cricketer VVS Laxman tweeted out his wishes
Congratulations India on beating Kenya 3-0 in #IntercontinentalCup2018; Skipper @chetrisunil11 was brilliant leading from the front, scoring twice in his 100th match. Fantastic performance #INDvsKEN pic.twitter.com/T4IEosHDcH
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 4, 2018
Union minister Suresh Prabhu congratulates the Indian team and Sunil Chhetri
A truly inspiring and well deserved win for our @IndianFootball team.
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) June 4, 2018
Heartiest congratulations to the team for the 3-0 win against Kenya today!
Amazing show by the team & Captain @chetrisunil11 on his 100th match! #BackTheBlue #INDvKEN pic.twitter.com/M43vl1rtDk
Sunil Chhetri: “I am so happy that they turned up. In the future, we might win some games and lose some, but if this is the kind of audience we have, we will give our everything on the pitch.
I am not sure if they know that the fans need to be calm when your own player is taking the penalty. But, I am thankful that the ball went in.
With the support we got tonight, the boys are buzzing inside. A little bit of appreciation goes a long way. We are going to give our 100 percent to our country.”
Fans celebrating with the team
The @IndianFootball team celebrate with the fans who responded to the Captain's call and turned up in huge numbers #Chhetri100 #INDvKEN
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) June 4, 2018
LIVE: https://t.co/27MuspkA2X pic.twitter.com/dMRFP0boUV
Kudos to the fans for responding to the Captain’s call
Getting to be a rout. Chhetri follows up penalty with splendid field goal. India 3 Kenya 0. What a night he's had! And the 8990 fans
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 4, 2018
Firstpost correspondent Anish Anand sums it up
SUNIL CHHETRI THE GREATEST! #Chhetri100 #INDvKEN
— Anish Anand (@testbowler) June 4, 2018
FT!
IND 3-0 KEN
India win 3-0 and a fan enters the stadium, touches Chhetri’s feet and is taken away by the cops. The Indian team led by Chhetri takes a lap of honour, fans rush to the railings. Chhetri couldn’t have asked for a more fitting day
GOAL!
IND 3-0 KEN
Brilliant, beautiful and sublime. This one was for the fans. Delightful chip over the Kenyan keeper and Chhetri and Co are home and dry. What a moment for the champion!
80’ IND 2-0 KEN
Sandesh Jhingan exits to a standing ovation. Narayan Das replaces him. Subhashish Bose moves to central defence
GOAL!
IND 2-0 KEN
India double their lead. Jeje with a scorching finish from close range. India have upped the ante in the second half and Kenya have looked devoid of energy.
At 2-0, the game is well and truly up for the visitors
GOAL!
IND 1-0 KEN
Sunil Chhetri puts India in front with a penalty that goes in despite the Kenyan keeper getting a hand to it. India are 22 minutes away from booking their place in the final
60’ IND 0-0 KEN
The rain has stopped and chances coming thick and fast for both sides. Kenya miss two one on one chances in as many minutes. Meanwhile, at the other end Chhetri fails to apply finishing touches to a cross from Halicharan Narzary.
The crowd though chant Chhetri’s name to motivate the frustrated Indian skipper
HT IND 0-0 KEN
It’s a half that’s been dominated by the rain. Neither side can claim to have edged it. Kenya were better at the start and India ended the game strongly. Chhetri going close to breaking the deadlock.
Expect to see much more goalmouth action in the second half
35’ IND 0-0 KEN
The rains are hampering the pace of the game, but the spirit of players and fans seem to bot dampen at all as the match continues to progress. The Kenyans are with more possession but in such a rain-marred game, mistakes will matter more than possession.
25’ IND 0-0 KEN
Sunil Chhetri almost scores after a mixup in the Kenyan defence allows the Indian captain to have an attempt on goal. The goalkeeper is off his line and Chhetri almost catches him out. Chhetri! Chhetri chant rings round the stadium. The place is absolutely buzzing now. Electric atmosphere
15’ IND 0-0 KEN
Kenya dominating territorially without causing much threat. They have lined up in a 4-4-2 formation. The visitors appear pretty athletic.
The conditions though aren’t helping either team. It’s a crazy downpour
The weather right now at Mumbai
5’ IND 0-0 KEN
India starting in a typical 4-4-1-1 formation. The midfield duo of Anirudh Thapa and Prannoy Halder are going to be tested physically.
With the rain lashing in, the pitch at the Mumbai Football Arena is going to be tested as well
Brilliant atmosphere. This is what Sunil Chhetri had asked for. To add to it it has started rain. Kick off is minutes away
Here are a bunch of fans who have turned out in the Indian jerseys to support the Blue Tigers
People queuing outside the ticket counter ahead of the kick-off
Vande Mataram!! It’s a trademark of the Mumbai crowd. The Indian National song rings the stadium as teams head out.
India are unchanged and Sunil Chhetri gets his 100th cap
Clear rise in the crowd turnout today. The stadium is already half full and there are plenty of people yet to come in.
We can expect the stadium to completely fill by 8:30
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