2018 Intercontinental Cup: 5 biggest positives for Team India

Congratulations to Team India on winning the 2018 Intercontinental Cup! It was a dominating display of football from Sunil Chhetri's side who were top notch in all the departments right throughout the tournament. India got the better of Kenya in the finals on June, 10 winning the game 2-0.

It was a fitting end to India's dream run in the tournament that also featured New Zealand and Chinese Taipei. It was a great learning curve for Team India who will be heading to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup after eight years. It was Sunil Chhetri all the way as he led the Blue Tigers to another emphatic title win.

There were a lot of positives for Team India to take from this tournament. Let us now look at five biggest positives for Team India to take from their win in the 2018 Intercontinental Cup.

#5 Rock-solid defence

Team India played a total of four games in the 2018 Intercontinental Cup (three group stage games and a final) in which they conceded just two goals. The defence comprising mainly of Pritam Kotal, Sandesh Jhingan, Anas Edathodika and Subhashish Bose was top notch throughout the tournament and the players were excellent on the field.

Also, players like Narayan Das, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Lalruatthara and Salam Ranjan Singh gave their best in the opportunity they got as substitutes. Shot-stopper, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was at his usual best for Stephen Constantine's men with his brilliant saves. India conceded two goals in their final league encounter against New Zealand, which they lost by 1-2.

The Mumbai City FC goalkeeper Amrinder Singh, who started the game against the Kiwis instead of the Gurpreet was clueless to those shots from New Zealand. Overall, Team India's defence was rock-solid en route to their glory in the 2018 Intercontinental Cup.

#4 Team India's goal-scoring spree

Captain Chhetri- celebrating a goal with his teammates

Having scored 11 goals in four games, Team India's attack was simply the best in the tournament. Goals came in from 'Captain Marvel, Sunil Chhetri, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Pranoy Halder and Udanta Singh. The Blue Tigers started off the tournament in some style, putting five past a hapless Chinese Taipei side in the first game of the tournament.

A fantastic hat-trick from Chhetri and goals each from Udanta Singh and Pranoy Halder helped India to a dominating 5-0 win over Chinese Taipei in the tournament opener. In their second league game against Kenya, India scored thrice- thanks to Sunil Chhetri's brace and 'Mizo Sniper' Jeje's goal. Thereby, the Blue Tigers eased past their African opponents to register two consecutive wins.

In their final league encounter against New Zealand, they were not at their usual best and managed a solitary goal. It was once again Chhetri who stepped up for India, but he could not ensure a win as India slumped to a 1-2 defeat in this game.

In the final against Kenya, Sunil Chhetri's brace helped India to claim the glory in front of a roaring Mumbai crowd. 11 goals in four games in no easy task and Team India have managed just that. Kudos 'Blue Tigers!'

#3 A much-needed momentum before the 2019 AFC Asian Cup

Victory in the 2018 Intercontinental Cup gave the Indian players a much needed momentum in the run-up to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Playing against the teams from three different continents would have provided them the exposure they needed before going to a high-profile tournament like the AFC Asian Cup.

Team India needed this sort of tournament to test where they stand in terms of the game's standard before heading to the United Arab Emirates early next year. This victory would be a morale booster for the Indian players who will now be vary of the threat posed by their opponents.

Team India are drawn in Group A with the hosts UAE, Thailand and Bahrain for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup which is scheduled to take place from January 5- February 1, 2019.

#2 Sunil Chhetri- Captain, Leader, Legend

Captain Sunil Chhetri was the main reason behind India's memorable win at the 2018 Intercontinental Cup. He scored eight out of the eleven goals scored by the Blue Tigers and was simply the best player of the tournament. As a leader he was inspirational on the field, guiding and encouraging his boys to give their best for Team India.

After a poor turn out in the first game against Chinese Taipei, he made a plea to the fans through an inspirational as well as emotional video to turn out in large numbers and support the Blue Tigers. That was enough to bring the Mumbaikars to the Andheri Sports Complex and paint the stadium Blue. Many famous sports personalities did their part to urge fans to answer to Chhetri's plea and the response was overwhelming.

The tournament witnessed an important milestone as Chhetri made his 100th Team India appearance against Kenya in the second league game. For a player who continues to serve India for more than a decade, it was an unforgettable night as he scored two and helped India win 2-0.

Chhetri is now the joint second highest active International goal scorers with Lionel Messi, only behind the Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo. Playing 100 games for the National team is an outstanding achievement and it was another feather to India's talisman, Sunil Chhetri.

#1 The crowd support

After a poor turnout for the first game (2569), the stadium attendance witnessed a surge in the next three games involving Team India. Sunil Chhetri's emotional plea and India's dominating display of football made the fans throng the Mumbai Football Arena to support the Blue Tigers.

It was around 9000 in the next three games- against Kenya (group stage and final) and New Zealand. The fans were vociferous and passionate throughout the tournament. They responded to Chhetri's plea by turning out in large numbers and in turn, the Team India gifted them with a memorable title win.

The tournament was keenly followed by the fans and the surge of Indian Football was evident. Hope this is just the beginning of something special for the Indian Football. Love you, Mumbai!

Edited by Amit Mishra