Indian defence puts in a strong performance to hold China to goalless draw

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The Indian football team, led by Sandesh Jhingan, displayed a strong defensive performance and had goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to thank as the Blue Tigers were held to a 0-0 draw in Suzhou. Marcello Lippi’s side failed to score as Jhingan & Co. managed to keep the ball out of the net.

Stephen Constantine’s men held the Chinese national team, ranked 21 places above them at 76, to a goalless draw at the International Stadium in Suzhou on Saturday. The Blue Tigers began with a 4-2-3-1 formation as Constantine chose to stick with his Intercontinental Cup line-up that worked so well for them. Narayan Das, was the surprise inclusion at left-back as Subhasish Bose was shifted to a central role alongside captain for the night, Sandesh Jhingan. Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua led the side at the front.

Marcello Lippi’s side started strong as they looked to attack from the very first whistle. However, it was Pritam Kotal who almost gave India the lead as a sweeping move saw the right back draw a wonder save from the Chinese goalkeeper. The Chinese team continued to attack for the rest of the half but Indian goalkeeper, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, was at his very best to keep the ball out of the net last night. India held on for the rest of the half as Lippi looked unhappy with his side’s below-par attack.

In the second half, China began with added determination as they looked to break the deadlock. Chinese forward, Gao Lin, was offered a golden chance was crossed into him on the edge of the box, but he could only manage to hit the post.

China hit the frame of the goal once again, as Wu Lei had a shot which hit the crossbar in the next few minutes. India were also active on the counter as winger Udanta Singh was given a chance to score as Halicharan Narzary played in a perfect pass to the winger but the Bengaluru man was unable to come up with the required finish. In the stoppage time, subsitute Fraukh Chaudhary had a chance give India a memorable win but his mistimed shot could only ear India a corner. This was India’s first draw against China away from home

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