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Sunil Chhetri, the skipper of the Indian football team surpassed Argentine stalwart Lionel Messi to become the second-highest active goalscorer in international football. On Sunday, he achieved this position in the opening match of the Intercontinental Cup 2019 at the Trans Stadia Arena against Tajikistan in Ahmedabad.
With the match, Chhetri overtook the left-footed Barcelona maestro Messi. However, he didn’t surpass Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo to be at the top of the list of highest goal-scorers (active footballers).
Messi held 68 goals under his belt which is now surpassed by Chhetri who now has 70 goals for India. Messi created the headlines after La Albiceleste’s third-place match against Chile in the ongoing Copa America 2019 but could take only one goal in South America’s showpiece event. However, the Indian striker overtook the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
The Indian striker in the match against Tajikistan, started scoring by putting a calm ‘Panenka’ penalty into the back of the net. Then, he slotted home the ball fro Mandar Rao Desai in the 41st minute and gave India a 2-0 lead in half-time only.
The Blue Tigers impressed the newly appointed coach Igor Stimac. Mandar Rao Dessai played Lallianzuala Chhangte with a clever through ball inside the penalty box. However, then India were awarded a penalty by a Tajikistan defender.
Udanta scored the second goal. He galloped down the right wing before selling a dummy. But his penalty was recovered by Chhangte. He placed an accurate low-cross to Chhetri and he changed the scoreline to 2-0. The second half wasn’t like the first half for India as the young Tajikistan team dominated to win the match by 4-2. This is India’s consecutive third lose against Tajikistan. A total of 5 matches were played between the two teams so far. India got the last win in 2008. Having a competitive draw.
Apart from India and Tajikistan, Syria and North Korea are the other two teams in the intercontinental cup. India’s next will be against North Korea on July 13.
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