In a match which saw players of both teams get involved in an on-field scuffle, it was India who outplayed Pakistan 4-0 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday in their SAFF Championship 2023 face off. India captain Sunil Chhetri was the start of the match as he scored a hat-trick in the game. While he scored a field goal to put India ahead in the 10th minute, capitalising on a blunder from Pakistani keeper Saqib Hanif, he later converted a penalty in the 16th minute to put India 2-0 ahead.
The Blue Tigers went into half-time with a 2-goal lead. In the second half, Chhetri completed a hat-trick when he got another penalty which he converted with ease. The final goal of the match was scored by Udanta Singh Kumam in the 81st minute.
However, the match also saw players of both the teams get involved in a bit of a tussle in the dying minutes of the first half. The fight started after India manager Igor Stimac tried to grab football from a Pakistan player. Things turned awry before the match officials had to intervene before the match could be restarted. The Blue Tigers manager was shown a red card. Shahzad Anwar, the manager of Pakistan, wasn't unpunished either and was issued a yellow card.
It is pertinent to note that Pakistan players looked scratchy throughout the course of the match. Bulk of the visiting Pakistan team had missed their flight and most of their players had arrived at the venue just six hours before the kick-off. Whether it was hectic schedule or some other reason but their performance lacked intent and discipline with their defence conceding a couple of penalties. In fact, there were a number of instances where India had come close to scoring but missed. Had those opportunities also found the back of the net, this would have looked a disastrous scoreline for the Pakistan team.
Also Read: India, Pakistan Players Break Into Fight During SAFF Championship 2023 Match; Blue Tigers' Manager Igor Stimac Shown Red Card
Kuwait had also started off their campaign with a win over Nepal earlier in the day but courtest of a better goal difference, India are at the top of the points table with 3 points and a goal difference of 4. Kuwait also have 3 pointsbu their goal difference stands at 2, having conceded a solitary goal after scoring 3.