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Hattrick Hero
Amidst a drizzle, India got off to the perfect start in the final as local lad Sunil Chhetri opened the scoring in the 9th minute. Sunil had pounced on the rebound after Tajikistan goalkeeper Alisher Tuychiev had saved NP Pradeep’s header from a Steven Dias cross.
Much like Geoff Hurst’s controversial goal against West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final, there was confusion regarding this strike as well, with the referee consulting his linesman, but there were no doubts about this goal and it rightly stood much to the delight of the Ambedkar crowd.
Tajikistan, technically a much superior side, tried to respond to India’s fast start but were two down in the 18th minute when Bhaichung Bhutia’s first-time left footed shot from a Samir Naik cross gave Tuychiev no chance.
Once again the Sikkimese Sniper had stepped up in a big game and even before Tajikistan could recover from the shock of a two-goal deficit, Sunil scored the third with a scorching left-footed effort from 25 yards. (see all India goals below)
This game was perhaps India’s biggest since the 1970 Asian Games bronze medal play-off against Japan but instead of feeling the pressure, Bob Houghton’s side performed at their maximum with 24-year-old Delhite Sunil being the star of the show.
Despite the three-goal cushion, India were getting opened up by Tajikistan and needed goalkeeper Subrata Pal to be at his best. The Central Asians pulled one back just before the halftime break through teenager Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev who scored with a powerful long-range effort.
The interval had come at the right time for Bob Houghton’s side because at 3-1; it was suddenly game on with the next goal being vital. Houghton’s words in the dressing room made the difference as India kept their shape much better in the second period, and then in 75th minute the Arjuna Awardee completed his hattrick to end the contest.
A counter attack saw Sunil play in a cross for Bhaichung, who couldn’t connect to it properly but Sunil, like any good striker, was first to the loose ball and found the back of the net with a clinical finish.
Tajikistan suffered a thrashing
India had thumped the defending champions with Sunil Chhetri becoming the first Indian player to score a hattrick in a major international tournament final. More importantly, it booked India’s place in Qatar 2011, which would be their first appearance in the Asian Cup in 27 years.
The hattrick confirmed that Sunil Chhetri is ready to take over Bhaichung Bhutia as India’s talisman in the next few years, but Bhaichung also wasn’t overshadowed as he was adjudged the most valuable player of the tournament.
The triumph enhanced Houghton’s reputation, but more importantly, it gave many Indian football lovers including this writer new hope of being positive about Indian football as finally we were guaranteed a chance to see our own Indian heroes in action on the biggest stage of Asia.
