India had to be content with a 1-1 draw against lower-ranked St Kitts & Nevis after a late equaliser in the 72nd minute by midfielder Amory Gvaune who cancelled out midfielder Jackichand Singh's 38th minute opening strike last night
India's Jackichand Singh (right) dribbles past a St Kitts defender during the Tri-Nation series tie at Mumbai Football Arena, Andheri yesterday
India had to be content with a 1-1 draw against lower-ranked St Kitts & Nevis after a late equaliser in the 72nd minute by midfielder Amory Gvaune who cancelled out midfielder Jackichand Singh's 38th minute opening strike last night.
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However, India had something to smile about as they clinched the Tri-Nation series trophy as they needed just a draw in a virtual final at the Mumbai Football Arena in Andheri yesterday.
Team India pose with the trophy. Pics/Suresh Karkera
India, who won their first match against Mauritius 2-1, were still unable to match up to the intensity of the visitors, who put on quite a physical display here.
India took some time to get into their rhythm. The key takeaway from this match was young Halicharan Narzary, who displayed immense skill on the left flank. In the 20th minute, the Assamese lad was fed a good ball by Rowllin Borges on the left wing. After sliding the ball to his right leg, Narzary delivered it to Balwant Singh in the form of a cross, but Singh's header missed the target by inches.
India were able to break the deadlock in the 38th minute after an assist from Borges just outside the box on the right wing saw Jakichand pull off a stunning header.
After the lemon break, Balwant Singh, who scored the winner against Mauritius, made way for Robin Singh. The visitors shifted from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 3-5-2.
In the 51st minute, the striker erred when he failed to get past the goalkeeper, who was rushing in to stop him.
St Kitts & Nevis continued to press hard. Between the 68th and 72nd minute, after winning three corners, the visitors were able to salvage an equaliser at the fag end of the match with Tiran Hanley feeding a good curing cross to Amory.
Therafter, the encounter turned into an edge-of-the-seat thriller in the dying minutes when substitute Nikhil Poojary managed to break through the defence and delivered a strong pass to another substitute Manvir Singh, Unfortunately, Singh only managed to shoot wide.
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