India vs Vanuatu Highlights, Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023: IND 1-0 VUT at FT; Chettri guides India to final

Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023: IND 1-0 VUT at FT

That's all from our Live coverage for tonight's India match in the Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023. India's next match is now on June 15 and a mere formality for them with the final spot sealed. Lebanon, on the other hand, were held for a 0-0 draw earlier today and need a win or a draw to progress! Vanuatu are certainly out of the title run with back-to-back losses while Mongolia have a long shot following their draw today. This is your host Aditya K Halder, signing off for the night! good night and see you on Thursday for next India game.

India Hero 💙 #HeroIntercontinentalCup 🏆#VANIND ⚔️ #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/JxdM61rxma

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 12, 2023

India vs Vanuatu Live Updates: IND 1-0 VUT at FT

It's Viking claps time! Sunil Chhetri leads his team towards the Blue Pilgrims stand to celebrate the win with the customary Vikings Clap. The skipper is also adjudged the Hero of the match for his stunning volley!

When 🇮🇳 needs him the most, he delivers 💙💙@chetrisunil11 #HeroIntercontinentalCup 🏆 #VANIND ⚔️ #IndianFootball ⚽️ #BlueTigers 🐯 pic.twitter.com/ZKi20EMeDp

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 12, 2023

IND 1-0 VUT at Full Time: Hero Intercontinental Cup Live Updates

And the referee blows the final whistle! India qualify for the final with the win! It's Sunil Chhetri's late strike that seals the win for the Blue Tigers as they go top of the table with six points in two games.

IND 1-0 VUT 90+2' : Hero Intercontinental Cup Live Updates

Indian defenders are showing the experience to close the game well as nothing concrete is coming out of Vanuatu's search for an equaliser.

India vs Vanuatu Live Updates: IND 1-0 VUT 90+1'

Sahal Abdul Samad played free on the left flank and the midfielder tries to square it off to Rahim Ali but the ball is blocked away for a corner. The match official meanwhile adds four minutes of stoppage time.

Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023: IND 1-0 VUT 89'

International goal no. 86 for Sunil Chhetri, that's what the crowd came to see tonight. Take a bow, captain!

India Hero 💙 #HeroIntercontinentalCup 🏆#VANIND ⚔️ #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/JxdM61rxma

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 12, 2023

India vs Vanuatu Live Updates from Bhubaneshwar: IND 1-0 VUT 87'

Vanuatu are showing urgency in attack now but Indian defenders are not showing nerves as they are hodling on to their defensive lines well.

IND 1-0 VUT 84' : Hero Intercontinental Cup Live Updates

Sunil Chhetri is taken off by Stimac amid loud cheer by the Bhubaneswar crowd. The skipper is replaced by forward Rahim Ali as India look to close down the game now.

India vs Vanuatu Live Updates: IND 1-0 VUT GOOOALLLLL!

Sunil Chhetri puts India at front! Goal no. 86 for the skipper as he shoots a left-footed volley into the net following a cross from left-back Subhasish Bose. The relentless attack from left wing has finally paid off!

India vs Vanuatu Live Updates: IND 0-0 VUT 76'

Naorem Mahesh Singh through the left flank again! Thapa plays him through. The player gets better off his marker with a mazy run and makes a ground cross, his effort ricocheted off to Thapa, whose strike was blocked away fo

IND 0-0 VUT 72' : Hero Intercontinental Cup Live Updates

Noarem Mahesh Singh played free on the left flank again, this time by Thapa, but the winger fires the cross too strong as it rolls away for a goal kick. Mahesh seems to be running out of steam now, which may impact India's attack down the flank. The East Bengal forward so far has been an excellent provider though

Hero Intercontinental Cup Live Updates: IND 0-0 VUT 69'

Chhetri so close! Naorem with another pinpoint cross and the skipper couldn't keep his free header on target! India should have been leading 1-0 by now! Rahim Ali has been warming up at the sideline for a while now, will he enter the game soon?

Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023: IND 0-0 VUT 66'

Another change! Nandhakumar comes off and is replaced by Lallinzuala Chhangte in a like-for-like change. From the looks of it so far, Anirudh has directly replaced Colaco on the left midfield while Sahal is in a more advanced role in comparison to Rohit. Jeakson fills in for Rowlin as the pivot

Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023: IND 0-0 VUT 61'

Three substitutions made by Igor Stimac at the hour mark as Jeakson Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad and Anirudh Thapa come in for Liston Colaco, Rowlin Borges and Rohit Kumar. The entire midfield has been revamped!

India vs Vanuatu Live Updates: IND 0-0 VUT 57'

Another counter opportunity for Sunil Chhetri after being fed inside the box, the skipper gets better of Boulet before making a backheel pass for his teammate but Vanuatu defenders were well back in numbers

Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023: IND 0-0 VUT 55'

Sunil Chhetri gets better of Boulet and makes a direct run into the box but the forward was blocked by the other centre back Kaltack! Kaltack's physicality was too much for Chhetri to take!

India vs Vanuatu Live Updates: IND 0-0 VUT 53'

Another cross into the box from the left flank! This time its Liston Colaco! His cross, however, was weak and was calmly collected by the goalkeeper.

Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023: IND 0-0 VUT 50'

Naorem Mahesh Singh gets better of his marker this time and delivers a left-footed cross into the box but the goalkeeper was alert to collect it!

India vs Vanuatu Live Updates: IND 0-0 VUT 48'

A wonderful diagonal pass from Rowlin Borges to Noarem Mahesh Singh to the left flank but the winger couldn't get better of defender Jason Thomas. Nandha and Naorem seems to have exchanged position as Nandha is attacking from the right flank now.

Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023: IND 0-0 VUT second half begins!

The second half gets underway and none of the coaches made changes to their original 11 for the game.

India 0-0 Vanuatu at HT: Live Updates from Bhubaneshwar

Players are coming back on the field. It will be clear soon if any of the sides are making changest at the half-time.

Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023: IND 0-0 VUT at Half Time

India enjoyed the lion share of possession in the first half at 62% and had the best of chances too. The level of concentration from Indian defenders was good too as Vanuatu were often provided no space to counter but opportunities may crop up for the visitors as the pressure will increase on India if they don't find that opener early in front of the home fans.

SO CLOSE!!! 😱🤯

Naorem’s cross was almost perfectly placed as @chetrisunil11 was just inches away from opening the scoring for the #BlueTigers 🐯

Watch Live on @StarSportsIndia, @DisneyPlusHS and @OfficialJioTV! 📺#HeroIntercontinentalCup 🏆 #VANIND ⚔️ #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/IKqnczkGpY

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 12, 2023

IND 0-0 VUT at HT: Hero Intercontinental Cup Live Updates

The rain has stopped at the Kalinga Stadium already but the humidity seems to have increased a bit post the shower. That could mean players may have to struggle in the second half.

Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023: IND 0-0 VUT

To think of it, build-up wise it wasn't a bad performance from Igor Stimac and men as Nandha Kumar, Naorem Mahesh Singh charged down the flanks enough time with the full-backs in assistance. However, it's the lack of finishing that has let India down. Vanuatu defence deserves praise as well for giving tight space for their rival forwards to operate.

🇮🇳 has been piling on the pressure since the very first minute but the opening goal still evades the #BlueTigers 🐯#VANIND ⚔️ #HeroIntercontinentalCup 🏆 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/VUFFYOirQm

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 12, 2023

Hero Intercontinental Cup Live Updates: IND 0-0 VUT at Half Time!

And the referee blows the half time whistle! Vanuatu coach Etienne Mermer must be happy with his boys' efforts as they managed to frustrate India with the plan they came up for the half!

IND 0-0 VUT 45+1': Hero Intercontinental Cup Live Updates

The match official adds four minutes of injury time while the momentum has suddenly shifted towards Vanuatu, who have charged down on the counter twice now but couldn't get a shot on target out of it.

India vs Vanuatu Live Updates: IND 0-0 VUT 43'

Nandha, Subhahsish and Liston are building pressure through the left flank again but no effort is proving enough as Vanuatu are holding their shape well at the back.

India vs Vanuatu Live Updates from Bhubaneshwar: IND 0-0 VUT 41'

Chhetri's header goes wide! Naorem Mahesh Singh springs into action and delivers a telling cross for the skipper but Chhetri couldn't time his jump! India are desperate for their opening goal as we inches close to the half time.

Hero Intercontinental Cup 2023: IND 0-0 VUT 38'

Pritam Kotal delivers a dangerous cross into the box and the Vanuatu goalkeeper stretches to collect the ball but fumbles it instead! But the danger was averted by centre-back Timothy Boulet, who cleared the loose ball.

Hero Intercontinental Cup Live Updates: IND 0-0 VUT 34'

Nandha suits it inches off the post! Naorem Mahesh Singh sees his first crucial action of the game as the right winger ran down the midfield and split the Vanuatu defence with a through ball from Nandha waiting in the box. His effort, however, lacked the finesse!