Vanuatu penalised with a late goal against India after gallant defensive efforts

In a thrilling encounter between India and Vanuatu at the Intercontinental Cup, the Indian football team emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win. The South Pacific side faced a formidable opponent in India, led by the Croatian manager Igor Stimac, who has the team ranked 63 places above Vanuatu.

Both teams were playing their second match in the tournament, and it was an important game for both sides to secure a positive result. Adding to the excitement, Claude Aru, a recent arrival in India for the tournament, earned his place in the starting lineup.

Vanuatu displayed great determination and resilience, managing to hold India at bay until the 80th minute. Led by their captain, Brian Kaltak, the Vanuatu team showed bravery in their defensive efforts against the more experienced Indian side, even in the face of a lively home crowd. Despite having only three shots on target and 39% of ball possession, they remained resolute against the Indian attacks.

However, in the 80th minute, the Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri showcased his prowess by scoring the winning goal. Chhetri demonstrated his clinical finishing skills, breaking through Vanuatu’s defense and overpowering goalkeeper Massing Kalotang with a strong finish. The goal sent the home crowd into raptures, as India finally broke Vanuatu’s resistance.

Vanuatu’s coach, Etienne Mermer, displayed a defensive approach that proved to be effective for most of the match. His team’s valiant defensive efforts kept them in contention against a stronger opponent. Despite the narrow defeat, Vanuatu can take pride in their performance and take away valuable lessons from their encounters in the tournament.

Looking ahead, Vanuatu still has one more match in the friendly tournament scheduled for Thursday, June 15th, against Mongolia. With their defensive resilience on display, they will aim to put up another strong performance and secure a positive result to conclude their campaign on a high note.