Anirudh Thapa struck within the added time of the primary half handy India a 1-0 win over Myanmar within the opening match of the Tri-Nation International Football Tournament, in Imphal on Wednesday. The scoreline ought to have been larger contemplating the truth that India dominated the share of possession, however missed probabilities mixed with the luck issue stored the victory margin on the naked minimal for the hosts.

Indian wingers Bipin Singh and Lallianzuala Chhangte appeared energetic from the beginning, as they made repeated inroads into the opposition third.

Sunil Chhetri had an early look in, as he headed a cross by Thapa over the crossbar. The India captain had one other likelihood from a flag kick on the far put up, however the effort produced the identical outcome.

Local boy Jeakson Singh, taking part in a holding position, stood as much as his job, nipping Myanmar assaults within the bud.

Chhetri had a golden likelihood just a bit over the half-hour mark, when Chhangte performed him in, however his shot from shut vary went straight into the keeper’s gloves.

Minutes later, India ‘keeper Amrinder Singh stored the scores degree on the different finish, when he put his huge gloves in the way in which to maintain away Aung Thu’s effort.

The Blue Tigers lastly discovered the breakthrough they have been searching for in the course of the harm time of the primary half as Thapa latched on to a stray rebound contained in the field and smashed it previous the keeper from shut vary.

India head coach Igor Stimac determined to present extra motive for the Imphal crowd to cheer, as he introduced on Suresh Wangjam as an alternative of Mohammad Yasir within the second half. Soon after, native boy Mahesh Singh acquired his debut as he and Manvir Singh changed Bipin Singh and Chhangte.

India thought they’d added one other objective to their tally with little over quarter of an hour of regulation time left when Chhetri poked in a Thapa cross, however he dominated offside.

The India captain had a crack on the rival objective simply minutes later, however it was saved by the opposition keeper.

As the clock wore down, Ritwik Das was given his debut.

Das and Roshan Singh changed Akash Mishra and Thapa. Seconds earlier than the ultimate whistle, the Myanmar objective had a detailed shave when Suresh’s shot was saved by the custodian.