Ratings: Chhangte torch-bearer as India lift Hero Intercontinental Cup trophy

India defeated Lebanon after a span of 46 years.

India clinched the 2023 Hero Intercontinental Cup title with a comprehensive 2-0 win over Lebanon at the Kalinga Stadium, Odisha on Sunday, June 18. The Blue Tigers were put under some pressure in the first half, but showcased impressive resiliency to control the proceedings.

They struck early in the second half, with Sunil Chhetri finishing off a slick team move in the 46th minute. Lallianzuala Chhangte then doubled the lead in the 65th minute to help India get their first win over Lebanon since 1977 and win the Hero Intercontinental Cup for the second time.

Here are the Player Ratings for the game.

India

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu – 7.0

Gurpreet was extremely concentrated at his goal and made some sharp saves in the first half. His distribution and cross-collection were both impressive on the day.

Nikhil Poojary – 8.0

Poojary worked a tireless shift on the right, validating his manager’s faith in him. He was gritty at the back, not allowing Lebanon to create much from his side. Played a clever pass to send Chhangte through in the run-up to the opener.

Anwar Ali – 7.5

Ali wasn’t as proactive as his fellow centre-back, but read the game well and maintained a solid defensive line. Came up with key clearances whenever needed and looked absolutely in control all through.

Sandesh Jhingan – 9.5

Jhingan maintained a ‘you shall not pass’ attitude to help India to another clean sheet. Almost always popped up in the key positions to make last-ditch tackles or clearances. Actually flawless with his defending and marshalled over a strict backline to prove why he’s India’s best centre-back. Played a huge role in ensuring India didn’t concede a goal in the Hero Intercontinental Cup and kept four clean sheets.

Akash Mishra – 7.5

Akash maintained better composure from the last game. More focused on his defensive work, which he did well to neutralize Lebanon’s threat and also moved the ball forward well on occasions.

Jeakson Singh – 5.0

The Kerala Blasters midfielder was troubled by Lebanon’s pressing and gave away the ball needlessly at times, attracting pressure. Lacked concentration at times and couldn’t deal that well with his physicality either.

Anirudh Thapa – 7.0

Thapa impressed from his deeper role, as he often sent his teammates through with his brilliant forward passes. His set-piece delivery was menacing once again. Thapa also worked hard to regain possession and help the backline sustain pressure.

Sahal Abdul Samad – 6.5

Sahal was again among India’s hardest workers, covering a lot of distance and putting in impressive work with his pressing and ball retention. Played the ball forward in key areas nicely and set up some promising stuff too!

Lallianzuala Chhangte – 9.5

Chhangte managed to prove how good he can be in the biggest game possible. He was a menace with his movement all game long and turned up big right after the break, making a brilliant run into the box before picking out Chhetri for his goal. He then won the ball back inside Lebanon’s box and finished off the move for his own, displaying some clinical scoring skills to excel in the final.

Ashique Kuruniyan – 6.5

Ashique was buzzing like a bee on the left, often wanting the ball and bursting past bodies. Worked hard to move the ball forward, with his final product being topsy-turvy.

Sunil Chhetri – 8.5

Another cup final, another Sunil Chhetri masterclass! The India captain played a key role in the link-up play, often dropping deep to help create chances. Produced a poacher’s finish for the opener and played a key role for the second, smartly sending Naorem Mahesh Singh through into the box.

Substitutes

Rohit Kumar – 6.0

Rohit added more energy levels to the game after coming on, helping close down the space better in midfield and restricting Lebanon’s movement through the middle.

Naorem Mahesh Singh – 8.0

Mahesh was an absolute livewire from the minute he came on, as he tormented the defenders with his speedy runs. Got cleverly played through by Chhetri and struck a powerful shot that was rebounded for Chhangte’s goal. Had a late header denied too. An exciting player to watch in the swift breaks and his role in the national team keeps growing more important.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGXis5ZVH40

Rahim Ali – 6.0

Ali added a bit more pressing power and defensive sturdiness to the Blue Tigers after coming on. Missed a late chance.

Nandhakumar Sekar – N/A

Came on for the final few minutes.

Subhashish Bose – N/A

Helped India seal the clean sheet late on.

Lebanon

Ali Sabeh – 5.0

The Lebanon goalkeeper had a night to forget. Couldn’t do much for the opener, but he parried the save from Mahesh straight to Chhangte's path for him to score.

Mohammed El Hayek – N/A

The defender suffered an early injury and had to be taken off within 10 minutes.

Hussein Zein – 4.0

Zein was quite lethargic at the back, failing to make the clutch tackles when necessary. Allowed Mahesh to take the shot too easily for India's second goal.

Mouhammad Ali Dhaini – 4.5

Ali Dhaini failed to maintain a strong-enough defensive line in the second half and was caught in awkward positions for both goals.

Ali Tneich – 5.5

The midfielder couldn’t really do much to stop India’s attacks or create much for his own team.

Hassan Saad – 6.0

Saad progressed the ball forward decently, but his final delivery wasn’t as accurate as his team needed it.

Zein Al Abidine Farran – 6.5

Farran worked his socks off for his side, covering over 7.5 kms and winning some key duels to keep his side’s energy levels up in India’s half.

Walid Chour – 5.0

Chour failed to help his side defensively, having too many lapses in concentration and giving away the ball too easily at times.

Nader Matar – 5.5

Matar lacked the fire and efficiency in his game, as his final delivery just wasn’t a major threat. Got booked in a frustrating outing.

Hassan Maatouk – 7.5

The Lebanon captain put his younger peers to shame with an extremely hard-working effort in which he was involved in Lebanon’s biggest chances. Tested Gurpreet on occasions and moved the play forward impressively, but missed a big chance late on.

Karim Darwich – 4.5

Darwich was bullied and neutralized by the Indian centre-backs again and was taken off around the hour-mark.

Substitutes

Mahdi Zein – 5.5

Zein struggled to keep up with Chhangte and got absolutely bamboozled for the opener. Quite lethargic against India’s sharp attacking moves.

Ali Al Haj – 6.0

Al Haj progressed the ball better after coming on, but wasn’t really able to get at the end of anything major.

Khalil Bader – 6.5

Bader was quite the livewire with his rapid forward runs, but couldn’t create anything significant.

Ali Markabawi – 6.0

The forward failed to do much better than Darwich, not really being able to test Gurpreet.

Hassan Kourani – N/A

Kourani couldn’t really make much of a difference in the result.