As the Indian Football Team took the field against Asian Champions Qatar after bidding adieu to their ‘Captain, Leader, Legend’ during their disappointing draw against Kuwait, the pressing question of who would turn up remained. However, they didn’t have to wait for long, as Lallianzuala Chhangte ended India’s goal drought to put the Blue Tigers ahead in the first half of India vs Qatar.
India score first goal from open play after 663 minutes
After a series of missed chances from Manvir and Rahim Ali, the ball finally found the end as India scored their first goal in post Sunil Chhetri era. A pin-perfect pass from Brandon falls onto the Mumbai City forward, who made no mistake in pushing it straight onto the net. This was India’s first goal from open play in over 600 minutes of football, with their last being against Kuwait in November 2023. This is also India’s second only goal in the last 11 games in 2024 with the first being scored by none other than Sunil Chhetri.
Chhangte gives fans a ray of hope
With 94 goals in 151 games, Sunil Chhetri has been India’s saviour for decades. The legendary player has found the net for India even in the most adverse situations. As he called curtains on his international career, what has ailed the fans and the experts alike has been ‘ who will take over the goal-scoring duties’. With Lallianzuala Chhangte finally finding the net since Manvir did back in India vs Kuwait, the fans were left excited.
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