Anirudh Thapa struck in the added time of the first half to hand India a 1-0 win over Myanmar in the opening game of the Tri-Nation Football Tournament here on Wednesday.
The scoreline should have been bigger considering the fact that India dominated the match, but missed chances kept the victory margin at the bare minimum for the hosts.
Wingers Bipin Singh and Lallianzuala Chhangte looked lively from the start. Sunil Chhetri had an early look in, as he headed a cross by Thapa over the crossbar. The India captain had another chance from a flag kick at the far post, but the effort produced the same result.
Igor Stimac’s men found the breakthrough during the injury time of the first half when Thapa latched on to a stray rebound inside the box and smashed it past the keeper from close range.
Stimac decided to bring in local boy Suresh Singh in place of Mohammad Yasir in the second half. Soon after, another local favourite Mahesh Singh got his debut as he and Manvir Singh replaced Bipin and Chhangte respectively.
