Baichung strike gives India 1-0 win over Bangladesh in Nehru Cup

New Delhi, Aug 20 (UNI) India rode on to an early strike by skipper Baichung Bhutia to battle past Bangladesh by a solitary goal in an ONGC Nehru Cup round robin match here tonight.

In a keenly contested match, inspirational Baichung struck in the fifth minute to give the hosts full points and their second win from as many matches at the Ambedkar Stadium.

Right winger Steven Dias received the ball just near the right edge of the box and he unleashed a right footed grounder which was moving out of the goal but Bhutia running towards the left post tapped in a fine left footer from an acute angle, which after beating the goalkeeper hit the left upright and barely crossed the goaline.

Baichung, though, could only show his class in patches as he and his strike partner Sunil Chhetri missed a few of the chances that came their way, especially in the second session.

Bangladesh, smarting under their opening encounter loss to Syria, did not allow their western neighbours dictate terms. Ironically, for their coach Syed Nayeemuddin, this is his first loss as coach of another country against India, after he was removed by the AIFF India job last year.

Though India set the pace of the match taking the lead as early as fifth minute, they had two close shaves in the first session and gaolkeeper Subrata Paul, who was later adjudged man-of-the-match, came to India's rescue.

First, Mohammad Jahid Hasan Ameli's header from a Rajani Kanta Barman throw from the left touchline almost entered the net but Indian goalkeeper Subrata Paul could lay his hands on in time to punch the ball out to the relief of sizeable hosts' supporters.

In the 28th minute, seeing Indian goalkeeper out of position, another scorcher from Mohammad Zahid Hossain from 25 yards just missed the crossbar by a whisker.

The second session was a battle of midfield supremacy with both the sides making forays in the rival citadel and as early as the first minute Jahid Hasan cut through the left flank and sent a right footer only to be saved by Paul again.

India had a slew of attack towards the later part of the second session. In the 60th minute, a Clifford Miranda left footer from outside the box hit the crossbar. Seconds later, Climax Lawrence's scoop from handshaking distance of the goal was tipped over the bar by the Bangladesh goalkeeper Biplab Bhattacharjee.

From the resultant corner, Mahesh Gawli got a free header only to miss the target.

One minute later, India had the best chance to double the lead when Baichung sent a wonderful pass to Chetri, who had only the goalkeeper to beat but the Delhi lad's right footer was somehow collected by the goalkeeper in the second attempt.

In between in the 75th minute, Bangladesh full back Mohammad Ariful Islam's right footer from outside the box missed the crossbar by a whisker.

Syria play Kyrgyzstan tomorrow in the battle between two highest ranked teams.

UNI