Xtra Time Web Desk: India men’s senior football team captain Sunil Chettri scored a hat-trick as India hammered Pakistan 4-0 in the SAFF Championship game at the Kanteerava stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday. With this hat-trick, Chettri moved up to fourth place in the all-time international goal-scorers list. Udanta Singh netted India’s fourth goal.
India took the lead in the 10th minute thanks to a mistake from the Pakistan goalkeeper Saqib Hanif, who missed a simple attempt to pass as Sunil intercepted the ball and shot it into the goal. Five minutes later India went 2-0 ahead as Anirudh Thapa’s shot was stopped by a Pakistani defender with his hand. Chhetri stepped up once again and converted from the spot to give India the lead heading into half-time.
The game saw tempers flare as India coach Igor Stimac was sent off just before half-time after he tried to grab the ball from a Pakistan player to prevent him from taking a throw in. The players from both teams got into a tussle as the Pakistan players were clearly unhappy with the actions of the Indian coach.
India extended the lead in the 73rd minute after Chhetri was brought down in the box by Muhhamad Sufyan Asif, gifting India another penalty-kick. The Indian captain converted from the spot to complete his hat-trick. The talisman became the fourth Indian player to score a hat-trick against Pakistan. He also became the fourth all-time highest scorer in international football. Just eight minutes later, Udanta latched on to a wonderful aerial pass from defender Anwar Ali, and finished from his left foot to put India 4-0 up.
The Blue Tigers will now face Nepal in their next SAFF Championship match on June 24.