Sunil, Mandar scores as India win against Shanghai East Asia

Young Dempo forward Mandar Rao Desai and captain Sunil Chhetri scored either side of halftime to ensure India finished their China tour with an all win record.

India could have scored more had substitute Seminlen Doungel’s shot not come of the crosspiece.

Shanghai East Asia are currently placed fourth in the Chinese Super League points table with 41 points from 23 outings.

India enjoyed ball possession in the early exchanges as the battle was mostly concentrated in the middle of the park.

Captain Sunil Chhetri, promising Bengaluru FC midfielder Siam Hanghal and Mandar combined well in the midfield stitching good passes to Robin Singh up front. One such move was squandered by Robin from close. Soon after centre back Sandesh Jhinghan side netted a corner from a good angle.

India though were rewarded for their efforts in the dying minutes of the half, when Mandar ghosted behind the opponents backline to latch on to a neat pass from Sunil. The Dempo lad then placed his shot perfectly to beat the keeper at his first post.

India doubled their advantage in the second half, this time Sunil getting on the end of a wonderful move involving his Bengaluru FC compatriots Siam and Robin. The India and Bengaluru FC captain struck low to the keeper’s left after Siam put Robin through with a measured pass which the tall striker laid on for Sunil.

It could have been 3-0 in favour of the visitors had Sunil not missed a gilt edged chance in the dying minutes of the match after some great work by substitute Seminlen Doungel to tee up the AIFF Player of the Year. In goal Amrinder Singh was brilliant keeping a deserving clean sheet, his second in as many games on the Tour.   

India: Amrinder Singh, Pritam Kotal, Sandesh Jhingan, Joyner Lourenco, Narayan Das, Siam Hanghal, Pronay Halder, Francis Fernandes (Seminlen Doungel 75th), Mandar Rao Desai (Clifton Dias – 75th), Sunil Chhetri (captain), Robin Singh.