Internet Desk: India were 3-0 winners against Bhutan at the Changlimithang National Stadium, Thimphu with three first half goals from Sumeet Passi (3′), Jeje Lalpekhlua (19′) and Holicharan Narzary (21′).
The Blue Tigers were missing quite a few of their key players and it was an opportunity to test out new faces before the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.
Stephen Constantine elected to give Fulganco Cardozo his first start in India colours as he lined up with a front two of Jeje Lalpekhlua and Sumeet Passi with support from Jackichand Singh and Holicharan Narazry on the wings.
The match began at breakneck pace with the home side coming close to scoring themselves when Chencho was in behind the Indian defense and tried to chip it over Subrata Paul who was off his line but hit it wide much to the relief of the Blue Tigers.
Jeje Lalpekhlua and co. took advantage of the slip the very next minute when from a throw in Sumeet Passi stuck himself into the near post and directed his header into goal to give the away side the lead in the third minute.
A dominant India side saw Jackichand running the show down the right and the away side could have had a few more before skipper Jeje Lalpekhlua made it 2-0 in the 19th minute.
It was Jackichand again who made the assist after Pronay Halder had found him out wide with a long diagonal. The winger showed deft control as he cut inside and flicked it to the far post towards Jeje. The striker who was sandwiched between two Bhutan defenders somehow wriggled free, turned them inside out and placed his shot to the left of the goalkeeper.
It was Jeje who turned provider two minutes later, again being played on by Pronay. Striding down the right wing, he picked out Holicharan Narzary’s late run with a deft square pass. Holicharan for his part made no mistake and smashed it into the left corner to give India a 3-0 advantage.
In spite of controlling the second half, the Blue Tigers failed to increase their first half advantage as the match ended 3-0.