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Sunil Chhetri scored a hattrick as India won their SAFF Championship opener against Pakistan by 4-0 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. India were well ahead of Pakistan on paper in almost every way and happened precisely the same in the match. Pakistanis were found nowhere in the match. Sunil Chhetri now has scored 90 International goals for India, 2nd highest in Asia. India were cruising in the first half but it was only close to halftime as their head coach Igor Stimac provoked a melee by knocking the ball out of Pakistan's player's hands as he prepared to take a throw-in. Stimac ended up getting sent off after things calmed down. In the second half, India scored twice. The first one came from Chhetri who completed his hattrick and the last punch came from Udanta. India demolished their arch-rivals and now going forward to face the next opponent.
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SAFF Championship 2023: Sunil Chhetri opened up about the Intercontinental Cup and the match against Pakistan
"I'm quite happy. I think I'm more satisfied because we kept a clean sheet. That was the first target that the team had set. So yeah, and also very happy to be back at the office," the Indian skipper said after the match
Sunil Chhetri started his career against Pakistan and this time Pakistan came to India for the Championship. When he was asked about, how does it feel to score against Pakistan, he said, "It feels good as I said more because we could score four. I think in the tournament, numbers will matter. That was the feeling inside that when you have an opportunity. Thankfully, we did that."
"I think there was some good stuff that we did. I'm pretty sure that could tell us a few things that we can improve on. Things are going to get difficult from here. But the way we're playing, we're quite confident, we got to rectify our mistakes. Overall the lack of goals was a concern. Now, you know, you know how in international games my friend getting goals is not easy, no matter who you're playing or where you're playing."
"So I think in the first game, we got two goals, then a goal, and then against Lebanon did a draw, which wasn't easy. And finally, we got to go again. So I don't think it was a lack of goals, but yes, we did miss a lot of chances, but on the other hand, we did create some. So I'm pretty sure we have a lot to improve on as far as I am concerned, but I think they're on the right track that we want them to."