Intercontinental Cup 2018 Final: 3 things that went right for India in their win over Kenya

India beat Kenya by two goals to nil to be crowned the champions of the 2018 Intercontinental Cup. The Blue Tigers were the favourites heading into the final and they did not disappoint.

The Indian team went into the lead in the early stages of the match, courtesy of a brilliantly worked freekick. Captain Sunil Chhetri put the finishing touch to a training ground routine to give India the lead. He then doubled his and India's tally, as he took a long pass from Jhingan onto his chest before slotting the ball past the keeper.

However, The Kenyan side did not give up easily. They attacked the Indian goal throughout the second half and were only denied a goal due to a strong defensive performance by the Blue Tigers.

Although the Intercontinental Cup was a friendly tournament, it undoubtedly gave the Indian side some much-needed preparation for the AFC Asian Cup. Altogether, the Blue Tigers scored eleven goals in the competition while conceding just two. Captain Chhetri was the top scorer for India and overall with eight goals.

India made few mistakes in their final match, and indeed the tournament. From a compact defence to a dynamic attack, the Blue Tigers had an answer to every problem.

Here are the three things that went right for India in the final.

#1 Training ground routine

A brilliantly worked freekick put India into the lead

The Blue Tigers opened the scoring with a brilliantly worked freekick. After a dead ball situation had arisen on the right flank, the Indian players quickly went into deep discussions. Captain Chhetri was rallying the orders, with Thapa and Udanta present. It was clear from that moment, that the Blue Tigers were looking to do something out of the ordinary.

And so they did.

Thapa delivered the freekick, grounded, towards the penalty spot. Chhetri peeled away from his marker at the back post, ran towards the ball, and slotted it perfectly in the bottom left corner. Needless to say, wild celebrations ensued.

India's freekick routine was clearly practised on the training ground and it yielded results. The routine also brought to the fore the coach's shrewdness to try and beat the aerially strong Kenyan defence, via the ground.

#2 Doing their defensive duties

Jhingan, alongside Anas, helped India keep a clean sheet

What made India's victory over Kenya possible was a strong defensive performance. Chhetri had done his part early on in the game when he put India two-nil up. It was up to the defence to preserve that lead, which they did superbly.

The Blue Tigers were on the receiving end throughout the second half but held firm. Jhingan and Anas were brilliant in the back, allowing the Kenyan forwards very little room to work with.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu also enjoyed an amazing day at the office, making a couple of stunning saves to stop Kenya from getting back into the match.

Credit must also go to Narzary and Udanta. Both the wingers tracked back and helped out in defence whenever needed. They provided extra cover to the full backs, helping India form a compact defence in the second half.

India had been brilliant going forward throughout the tournament but it was their defensive attributes that eventually helped them lift the Intercontinental Cup.

#3 Captain Fantastic

Sunil Chhetri celebrating after scoring

If India does become a footballing great in the future, their progress will be traced back to the moment Sunil Chhetri delivered the heartfelt message.

Intercontinental Cup was looking a bleak proposition right before it's commencement. Contributing to the fact was the lack of ticket sales, along with the fact that New Zealand and Kenya had refused to send their first teams.

However, it all went into the background once captain Chhetri stepped up. The Indian skipper delivered strong messages both on and off the pitch, changing the whole complexion of the tournament.

Apart from making his 100th appearance for the Blue Tigers, Chhetri had scored six goals in three matches before the final. The Centurion scored two more goals in the final, as India cruised to victory.

The Indian captain scored his first from a brilliantly worked freekick. His second was equally special as he took a long ball delightfully into his path before slotting past the goalkeeper. Chhetri was very vocal through the entire match, urging his teammates on.

In the end, the whole tournament belonged to Captain Fantastic as he led from the front both on the pitch and off it.