Defending champions India kicked off their campaign in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying round in style, drubbing Chinese Taipei 3-0 in their opening match in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.
Continuing with his great run of form, Jeje Lalpekhlua struck the opener in the 32nd minute to put India in lead at the MPBJ Stadium.
Leading the side in the absence of the injured Bhaichung Bhutia, Sunil Chhetri, also making his captaincy debut, doubled India's lead when he found the back of the net in the 76th minute.
Substitute Sheikh Jewel Raja, who came in place of right winger Steven Dias, put the group B match beyond Chinese Taipei's reach with a strike just four minutes before the final whistle and gave Bob Houghton's boys a well-deserved win.
Chhetri was involved in the opening goal as the striker, after being fed by a Dias cross, headed the ball to Lalpekhlua who beat rival custodian, Lin Po Cheng, without much difficulty.
Chhetri then combined with Lalpekhlua to score the team's second goal.
It was Chhetri again who did the spadework before Raja found the target with his right-footer for the team's final goal.
India dominated proceedings for a major part of the match, barely giving the opponents a chance to fight back into the contest.
As it started to drizzle at the start of second half, Chinese Taipei made some desperate efforts to find the net, but the Indian defence and goalkeeper Subrata Paul were equal to the task.
"It was a good game for us. Some young boys made their debut. Midfielders Jagpreet (Singh) and Rakesh Masih did very well. Chhetri played his first game as captain and scored a goal also. He also helped in other goals," Houghton said after the match.
"Jeje, Raju made their debut. Jewel came as substitute and made his debut and scored a goal too," he added.
Chhetri, too, was delighted with the comfortable victory.
"I am very happy to be captain of the team and also that we won the match. Congratulations to the youngsters who made their debut and to Jeje and Jewel for scoring goals. I want myself and the team to keep going," Chhetri said.
India's next match is against arch-rival Pakistan on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, Turkmenistan collected full points from their opening encounter after they trounced Pakistan 3-0.
© 2024 Rediff.com -