Hosts India beat Kenya to win Intercontinental Cup

What you need to know:

  • Stars were outdone by countless missed chances in the second half. Makwatta and Pistone Mutamba failed to finish off pin-point crosses from Ovella Ochieng’ and Erick “Marcelo” Ouma on the right and left flanks.
  • India custodian Sandhu Gurpreet produced a brilliant save to deny Ovella from a free kick in the 77th minute. The goalkeeper had earlier parried the Kariobangi Sharks winger’s long range shot in the 56th minute.

India national team captain Sunil Chhetri produced a man-of-the-match performance scoring a brace in a 2-0 win over Harambee Stars as the hosts won the inaugural Hero Intercontinental Cup at the Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday.

Chhetri opened the scoring after eight minutes before doubling the lead at the half hour mark for his eighth goal of the competition.

Stars came close in the 25th minute through Kenneth Muguna whose header from a throw in went inches wide.

The Tirana midfielder would be substituted for John Makwatta seven minutes to the breather.

Stars were outdone by countless missed chances in the second half. Makwatta and Pistone Mutamba failed to finish off pin-point crosses from Ovella Ochieng’ and Erick “Marcelo” Ouma on the right and left flanks.

India custodian Sandhu Gurpreet produced a brilliant save to deny Ovella from a free kick in the 77th minute. The goalkeeper had earlier parried the Kariobangi Sharks winger’s long range shot in the 56th minute.

Stars coach Sebastian Migne made two changes to the team that thrashed Chinese Taipei 4-0 on Friday, handing starts to Vihiga United’s Bernard Ochieng’ and Kenneth Muguna in place of Duncan Otieno and Makwatta.

Patrick Matasi retained his place in between the sticks with Jockins Atudo and Erick “Marcelo” Ouma providing ammunition from the right and left back positions, as Musa Mohammed captained the side from the back.

Piston Mutamba led the attacking line with Patillah Omoto and Dennis Odhiambo partnering in midfield.

Stars kicked off the invitational tournament with a 2-1 win over New Zealand on June 2, before falling 3-0 to the hosts on June 8, but bounced back to put four past Taipei to qualify for the final.