Udanta Singh scored his first international goal in Friday night encounter with no 121 ranked Chinese Taipei played in Andheri Sports Complex, Mumbai where India hammered with 5-0 score line.
Skipper Sunil Chetri claimed his third hat-trick in the national duty. Coming into the half time 2-0, India started the second half in the same vein as the young gun Udanta cut in from the right flank after nee footwork, he skilfully stroked the ball, bagging his first international goal with the national team and it was his 10th appearance in the national duty since making his debut against Iran in March 24, 2016.
Sunil Chetri, the skipper showers heavy praise on Udanta. He said, “Right now, Udanta comes to my mind. I am very fond of him and he scored his first goal today, so I went up and said ‘congratulations kid’ and he replied with a smile ‘58 to go’. So, I take my goal very seriously.”
Sunil hinted about the possibility of breaking his national record of all time as highest goal scorer with Blue jersey. Udanta, known for his agility, technicality and superb dribbling skills and has become coach Constantine’s favourite since his debut despite of his lacklustre height, which is regarded as a top necessity for an international.
Udanta Singh’s fellow northeastern compatriot Jeje Lalpekhlua assisted twice skipper Sunil Chetri, who enjoyed his third international hat-trick. Sinning off from his favourite centre-forward position, he placed himself as a playmaker creating several serious threats against the opposition goal keeper.
“So it’s not difficult to combine with him (Jeje) and I have done my best to help him and he does the same. He is somebody, whom I respect a lot and is one of our best players,” 33-year-old skipper Chetri stated when quizzed about his partnership with Jeje.
The veteran also eyes a bright prospect of Indian football through these young guns. Later, Chetri urged Indians to follow Indian football in a video which has been available currency on the Internet.
Regular international Holicharan Nargary featured from the very first minute but failed to make an impact and found himself being replaced by debutant Ashique Kuruniyan in the second half. India will face Kenya on June 4 at Andheri Sports Complex in which Indian skipper Chetri is going to achieve a honourable feet of playing 100th international match for the Blue Tigers.