Bhutia scores as India scrape past Bangladesh 1-0

NEW DELHI, August 20: Indian skipper Baichung Bhutia scored the only unconvincing goal against a never-say-die spirited Bangladesh in the fifth minute of the ONGC Nehru Cup at the renovated Ambedkar stadium. And the host hung to this slender lead against a determined Bangladesh.
India kick started with lovely pace when Steven Dias took an angular shot from his right that found Baichung Bhutia who by then had already peeled off from his marker and Bangladesh defender Ariful Islam and sent in a low angle left footer which struck the far post and rolled into net.
Bangladesh's defence looked solid, their midfield organised and the attack sharp. In the 19th minute midfielder Abul Hussain sent in a powerful shot almost from the half line that was brilliantly saved by Subrata Paul. Bangladesh raided again when Burman's long throw seemed to threaten the Indian defence and striker Ameli's back header beat the Indian goalkeeper but hit the crosspiece and went over.
India's next chance came off Rennedy Singh's free kick which Sunil Chettri headed over from close. Baichung led from the front, twisting and turning and importantly setting up for Chettri. India's midfield functioned like a well-oiled machine with Climax, Mehrajuddin and Steven Dias opening and closing the flanks wherever required and importantly setting up the attack.
A brief spell of downpour soaked the wonderful Ambedkar stadium minutes before the halftime whistle. India beefed up its attack in the second half. Steven Dias from the right and Clifford Miranda, who came in for Rennedy Singh, from the right made blazing runs from the flank while Climax and Mehrajuddin attacked from the centre.
In the 50th minute, off a pass from Climax, Miranda ran in from the left and found Sunil Chettri who in turn found Baichung Bhutia in the middle and Bhutia returned a splendid pass back to the Delhi striker whose shot was stopped by the Bangladesh goal keeper Bipalab Bhattacharjee.
Minutes later Clifford Miranda sent in a powerful shot that went in like a bullet and hit the crossbar. India's best chances came from the second half particularly when Sunil Chettri had just the Bangladesh goalkeeper to beat on a couple of occasions. Seyed Nabi came in to replace the injured Deepak Mondal and Tarif Ahmed came in to replace Baichung to play his first big match. Tarif had a brilliant chance to increase the lead in the closing minutes but sent in a weak shot.
India's Surukumar Singh raided the Bangladesh defence with his blazing runs but Bangladesh held on.
With this win, India moves to top of the table with six points and Seyed Nayeemuddin's boys have lost both their matches and are almost out of the fight for a berth in the final. Baichung with his goal against Bangladesh became the top scorer in the Nehru Cup with five goals. India's goal keeper Subrata Paul won the man of the match.