There is so much to improve and we will: Sunil Chhetri on India’s win over Vanuatu

Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri feels there is so much to improve and they will try to do that after registering a 1-0 win against Vanuatu in the ongoing Hero Intercontinental Cup at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhuvneshwar on Monday. When it looked like the match was heading towards a draw, Chhetri scored in the 80th minute to give a decisive lead to his team as well as three crucial points.

However, the Blue Tigers were frustrated by Vanuatu’s defensive line. Furthermore, the team’s head coach Igor Stimac was not happy with the way the players switched sides and feels some of the players need to speed up their game.

Meanwhile, Chhetri admitted it wasn’t an easy win for them as Vanuatu were brilliant in their defense.

“It wasn’t easy. Vanuatu defended very well with the combination of us being a bit hazy at the end. We created a lot of chances but we were dismal in front of the goal, to say the least,” the 38-year-old said after the match.

“All of us in the attacking half missed a lot of chances to at least take a shot. But at the end of the day, it’s an international game, it’s an important tournament and getting three points is what gives me immense happiness. There is so much that we can improve and we will,” he added.

The talisman admitted that pressure was building with each minute but they had hope of crossing the line against the opposition. With this win, India was able to qualify for the finals of the tournament with a group-stage match to spare.

“The pressure was building with each passing minute and each missed chance. But the hope was there mainly because we were creating chances,” he said.

“We were knocking on their doors, there were some good movements on the wings. We will hear a lot about our final delivery from the coach (because it wasn’t good). Apart from that, we did well,” he added.

India will take on Lebanon on Thursday at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhuvneshwar in the last group-stage game.