India 2-2 Bangladesh: Sunil Chhetri brace bails out hosts

Just like at SAFF 2013, Sunil saved India’s blushes with a stoppage time equaliserFILE Photo

For the second time in as many meetings an injury-time equaliser from skipper Sunil Chhetri saved India’s blushes against neighbours Bangladesh as the international friendly ended 2-2 at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Margao on Wednesday evening.

Sunil gave India the lead in the first half but Mithun Chowdhury equalised for Bangladesh early in the second period and then an own goal from Arnab Mondal put the visitors in front. Just like in the 2013 SAFF Championship, Sunil equalised in stoppage time to break Bangladesh’s hearts.

However the away team could have won it with the last kick of the game but India goalkeeper Subrata Pal made a crucial foul. The custodian was sent off for a second yellow and Bangladesh couldn’t score from the resulting freekick although they did had the ball in the back of the net right after Subrata’s challenge but the referee had already blown the whistle.

Indian coach Wim Koevermans fielded a strong side with just one change from the lineup that started in the 2-0 win over Nepal in November as FC Vestsjaelland’s Subrata Pal started in place of Karanjit Singh. On the other hand, Bangladesh had a new-look side with several youngsters including uncapped Hemonta Vinsent Biswas.

Bangladesh started brightly, pressing high up the pitch and playing with real determination. However, India saw out the early onslaught and took control of the game. India had a direct approach in their attacks with a number of long balls played towards big centre-forward Robin Singh.

India’s goal came after a quick counter-attack with strikers Robin and Sunil heavily involved. Holding off the Bangladesh centre-halfs, Robin played an exquisite pass into the path of Sunil, who showed great pace to avoid the recovering centre-back and placed a precise finish into the bottom right corner.

After the goal, India were satisfied to let Bangladesh have more of the ball, defending solidly, and maintaining their shape. Bangladesh passed the ball around but without any penetration.

India were quick in the transitions with Sunil, who started in the hole behind Robin, dropping deep to receive the ball and looking to make things happen in the final third. Robin had the only other clear cut chance of the first half as he went past a couple of Bangladesh defenders but his shot was saved by the Bangladesh keeper.

At the break, India made two changes with Victorino Fernandes replacing Clifford Miranda, and Rocus Lamare on for Mehtab Hossein.

Those substitutions seemed to weaken India as their intensity dropped while Bangladesh took control of the game and equalised through Chowdhury. Sohel Rana played in a low cross from the left flank which was dummied by Hemonta at the near post but slotted home by Chowdhury at the far.

The goal destroyed the solidity of the Indian defence and Bangladesh looked to capitalise further by attacking from the flanks.

India responded with a substitution as in-form Balwant Singh replaced Robin but India lost their target man upfront and were vulnerable at the back.

Bangladesh took the lead when a teasing cross from Hemanta was turned into the back of his own net by Arnab.

India spent the rest of the second half striving for an equaliser, but with Bangladesh galvanised by the goals, it was always going to an uphill task. The hosts also lost Francis Fernandes to injury and his replacement Alwyn George didn’t have much of an impact while that change forced Balwant to operate in an unfamiliar left wing role.

Koevermans’ side were struggling to create opportunities and when they did, Bangladesh keeper Shahidul Alam Sohel was at his best. Shahidul produced three saves in quick succession as the visitors edged closer to a historic win.

But a moment of individual brilliance from skipper Sunil in the second minute of stoppage time restored parity. Chasing an overhit long ball down the left channel, Chettri took an excellent first touch, and fired into the top corner with his left foot from an impossibly tight angle.

India immediately turned the screw, pushing for the winner, and nearly lost the game trying to win it. They pushed up, leaving spaces at the back and a ball over the top caught out the centre backs napping. Goalkeeper Subrata had to sacrifice himself in the process, earning a second yellow for a cynical foul outside the box.

Bangladesh thought they had scored just after Subrata’s foul but the referee already blew for a freekick. India left two Bangladesh players unmarked in the freekick but substitute keeper Karanjit Singh wasn’t troubled.