Captain Sunil Chhetri and winger Lallianzuala Chhangte scored the two goals that led to India lifting the Intercontinental Cup. India have played six matches so far in 2023 and kept clean sheets in all of them.
In what was the first-ever tournament for the Blue Tigers in the Odisha capital, the fans were treated to a fantastic spectacle over the course of four matches, where India did not concede any goals en route to reclaiming the title they last won in 2018.
After Thursday's pulsating 0-0 draw against Lebanon, it was Stimac who thought his side should have sealed the win with the numerous chances they had. Overall, he was happy with the performance and the game as a whole.
The Indian senior men's team were held goalless by Lebanon in the final group match of the Intercontinental Cup on Thursday at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
The Indian senior men's team edged Vanuatu 1-0 to book their place in the Intercontinental Cup Final on Monday at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. It was Sunil Chhetri's sensational 86th international goal for India which ultimately settled the game.
As soon as he found the back of the net with his left foot finish, he picked up the ball and put it inside his jersey and did the baby celebration with cameras capturing his wife.
The India Senior Men's Team will begin their Intercontinental Cup 2023 campaign with a first-ever meeting against Mongolia on Friday at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
Intercontinental Cup returns after four years to a new venue - the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, featuring three new teams - Mongolia, Vanuatu and Lebanon
For the first time in three years, India will host the Hero Intercontinental Cup, with the Blue Tigers battling for supremacy against the trio of Lebanon, Vanuatu and Mongolia