Aiborlang starts, Rocus comes on as substitute, Koevermans ‘not happy’
SHILLONG: India had to battle from a goal down to draw 2-2 against Bangladesh in a football friendly in Fatorda, Goa, on Wednesday.
Both of the host country’s goals were scored by captain Sunil Chhetri, who has taken his record-breaking tally to 45 in international matches for the country.
From Meghalaya’s perspective, it was another proud day as defender Aiborlang Khongjee was named in the starting line-up, while Rocus Lamare came on during the second half as a substitute.
India actually took the lead in the 14th minute, but Mithun Chowdhury and Hemanta Biswas responded for the visitors in the second half.
It was then left to Chhetri to equalise in the 88th minute.
The opening goal was the result of a lovely one-two from Robin Singh and his captain. Both players are part of the Bengaluru FC outfit, who, while losing their last I-League game here to Rangdajied United FC, are leading the table in the domestic top tier.
A composed Chhetri gathered the ball, invaded the rival box and curled the ball past goalkeeper Sahidul Alam into the far corner.
The Bengaluru and Indian captain volleyed the ball for his second goal off a Denzil Franco cross.
India should have won the game, however, but let in two goals in the span of around 12 minute.
Bangladesh equalised in the 52nd minute with Mithun Chowdhury tapping in after the ball deflected off Arnab Mondal.
In the 62nd minute, Balwant Singh replaced Robin to make his international debut and become the 477th footballer to play for the country.
Two minutes later Bangladesh took the lead, with Mondal, in a desperate attempt to keep away a Hemanta Biswas cross down the right flank, deflecting the ball into his own net.
The neighbours were more purposeful in the second half, while India’s spirit seemed to flag.
The Men in Blue began to get going again after the 80th minute with a couple of chances saved by Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Indian goalie Subrata Paul was shown a red card for his second offence during stoppage time, but Bangladesh were not able to convert the resulting free kick from just outside the box.
“Bangladesh created problems for us in the second half,” Indian coach Wim Koevermans was quoted as saying at the post-match press conference by the All India Football Federation website.
“But Sunil Chhetri’s class was on display and the game ended two-all,” he added.
“We need to work on a few things. I didn’t expect a draw but it happened as we failed to seal it in the first half.”
His counterpart Bangladesh’s Dutch Coach Lodewijk Dariusde Kruif said it was “bittersweet for the second time.
“We came here to play football. Our touches were on display. There were 1-2-3 touches and we were moving around.
“We fielded a whole lot of U-20 boys and to me the best player on the field, Hemanta Biswas, is just 17-years old,” Koevermans’ compatriot added.
“I am proud of my boys. It would have been nice to leave with a victory but that’s the way football is all about,” he pronounced.
“But at the same time you cannot take anything away from India. They keep coming to you all the time.
“Even in the SAFF Championship, they equalised in the last minute and here, they pulled it back with two minutes to go,” he said.