A double strike from Sunil Chhetri helped the National side secure a 3-1 win over the Portuguese second division team
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Two goals from Kansas City and Indian striker Sunil Chhetri helped India beat the Portuguese second division club 3-1 at the Pope John Paul II stadium, Fatima on Wednesday.
The Indians started well in the first half with made several runs in the opponent’s bastion and in the 35th minute their efforts paid off as Chhetri headed a Anthony Pereira cross home from the left flank. The men in blue held on to the lead before the half-time whistle and the score at the end of 45 minutes was 1-0.
At the start after the break, India made three changes as Clifford Miranda replaced Steven Dias, Mehrajuddin Wadoo walked on to the midfield in place of Climax Lawrence and Abhishek Yadav joined Chettri up front replacing Mohammed Rafi. However, Yadav suffered a knee injury just a couple of minutes into the second half and was substituted by Sushil Kumar Singh.
The Portuguese side levelled the score in the 56th minute as midfielder Pedro scored from the conceded spot kick.
The Indians were not finished yet as the Kansas City striker headed a Sushil Kumar Singh cross into the back of the net in the 75th minute to put the visitors in front once again. Five minutes later Sushil Kumar sealed the deal for Bob Houghton’s men as he headed home a corner kick from James Singh to roundup a comprehensive win over the hosts.