A packed Mumbai football stadium was a rare sight marking a new chapter in Indian football. The Intercontinental Cup will go into the history books as one of the highest witnessed football sporting event. It all started with Indian captain Sunil Chhetri posting a video on Twitter urging people to come and cheer the Blue Tigers at the stadium.
Backed by jam-packed stadium with Indian fans holding their necks out, the hosts displayed their aggressive best in the finals by penetrating into the Kenyan defense twice in the first minute. Sunil Chhetri showed superb form with his double strike in the summit clash with India thrashing Kenya 2-0.It was indeed a special tournament for him as he completed 100 games alongside equaling Messi’s 64 International goals tally only behind Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo with 81 goals.
This tournament has become a game changer in the Indian football history, raising the team’s stake to higher level in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup. With experienced players like Jeje Lalpekhlua, Sandesh Jhingan along with Sunil Chhetri as the torch bearer, India is geared to put up a good show in the Asia Cup to be held in January next year.
With abundant talent and growing initiatives by All India Football Federation to nurture young players, the future looks bright for the Indian football in the coming years.