Chhetri strike downs Bangladesh, keeps India's Asian Games hopes alive

Asian Games | India 1-0 Bangladesh: late Sunil Chhetri strike keeps India alive in Asian Games, Dheeraj Singh and Marma's heroics keep game alive before Chhetri's winner

The Indian football team rode on a late Sunil Chhetri strike to beat Bangladesh by a solitary goal and stay alive for a place in the knockouts of the Asian Games here on Thursday.

The 39-year-old veteran scored from the spot in the 85th minute to help his team earn full points after the 1-5 hammering at the hands of hosts China on Tuesday.

Asked about the lack of recovery time, Chhetri said, "The first thing is to go and recuperate, it was not easy. I'm petty sure it was the same thing for the opponents also. playing three games in five days is not easy, a lot of ice bath, eat good food and get ready." India will next play Myanmar, who beat Bangladesh 1-0 on the opening day.

After the loss to China, Igor Stimac's wards were back against their familiar South Asian foe, a team that has actually been a tough one to break down for the Blue Tigers.

India were the ones to create a first attempt at goal in the ninth minute when Rohit Danu and Rahul KP combined to put the ball at the feet of Chhetri, inside the box. The skipper's shot, though, was deflected wide.

Chhetri had another chance a few minutes later, with Ayush Dev Chhetri's cross falling to him inside the six-yard box. Chhetri played the ball across goal rather than towards it, and Bangladesh cleared with ease.

The game fell into a pattern soon after, and there was more midfield tussle than end-to-end action. Bangladesh's pacey wingers were the focal points of their attack, constantly probing and drifting crosses into the Indian box.