SAFF Championship | Chhetri hat-trick powers India to 4-0 win over Pakistan

Sunil Chhetri’s glittering hat-trick laced India’s 4-0 win over Pakistan in their 2023 SAFF Championship opener as the striker became the second-highest Asian goalscorer in international football.

Sunil Chhetri's glittering hat-trick laced India's 4-0 win over Pakistan in their SAFF Championship opener here on Wednesday as the talisman became the second-highest Asian goalscorer in international football.

Ali Daei of Iran holds the record with 109 goals from 149 matches. Chhetri has 90 strikes to his name.

From the very start of the game, India brought forth their experience and class into play. Pakistan had pockets of doughty resistance, but they were not a match to India's cohesion and purpose on a rain-drenched night at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.

Chhetri had shown sparks of his old ebullient self in the Intercontinental Cup final against Lebanon at Odisha on Sunday, and the Indian skipper stepped on the pedal on his 'home turf'.

After getting a quick feel of the surface and their opponents, India started the goal rush as early as in the 10th minute through Chhetri, who netted through a fine field goal.

Six minutes later, the talismanic forward doubled the lead through a penalty and at 2-0, the route which the match took was clear.

India pressed for more goals in the first half, but they could not add to the tally as Pakistan defence held their own. India too missed a couple of chances, though not easy, to pile pressure on their rivals.