Chhetri scores twice as India rout Guam

Skipper Sunil Chhetri found the target twice as a dominating India thrashed Guam 4-0 for their second victory in as many matches in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers, in Yangon, on Monday.

Thanks to the convincing victory, India, with six points, are very much in contention for a berth in next year's AFC Challenge Cup.

Chhetri found the net in the 49th and 91st minute, while the other two goals were scored by Clifford Miranda (68th) and Jewel Raja (80th), at the Youth Training Centre.

The Indians were completely off colour in the first half, but came out all guns blazing after the change of ends, with Chhetri leading from the front.

After a goalless first half, Chhetri drew first blood four minutes after resumption. He followed Lenny Rodrigues's through pass, beat the off-side trap and slotted past rival goalkeeper Douglas Herrick, much to the relief of the Indian dug-out.

Then the floodgates opened.

The second goal came in the 68th minute, this time Miranda blasting home a left-footer after being set up by Mehtab Hossain.

Jewel scored the third goal to perfection after being found unmarked inside the box by substitute CK Vineeth, while Chhetri completed the rout, heading home a Mehtab corner in the 91st minute.

The goal took Chhetri's overall tally to 40, two short of India's all-time top scorer, former captain Bhaichung Bhutia.

India had defeated Chinese Taipei 2-1 in their opening match.

Photograph: AIFF Media