Watch: Sunil Chhetri’s unique celebration after scoring a goal went viral in Vanuatu, wife Sonam Bhattacharya was showered with flying kisses

In the scorching heat and humidity of Bhubaneswar in the Intercontinental Cup, all eyes were on India skipper Sunil Chhetri. Igor Stimac’s decision to include the 38-year-old forward in the starting lineup against lower-ranked teams like Vanuatu and Mongolia raised a few eyebrows, but Chhetri soon proved his worth on the field. As soon as the match started at the Kalinga Stadium, it became clear why Chhetri was chosen. The Indian team struggled to break down the resolute Vanuatu defense until Chhetri made the difference in the 80th minute and scored the only goal of the match.

,@chetrisunil11takes off the left leg of #blue tigers _ As far as #HeroIntercontinentalCup _ Last __#vanind , #IndianFootball , pic.twitter.com/1n081IsM4I

– Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 12, 2023

Chhetri’s 86th international goal brought relief to the Indian camp and justified their 61% ball possession. His ability to smell danger and position himself well in the box is unmatched by any of his teammates. When Subhasish Bose delivered a measured cross, Chhetri stood squarely in the middle of the box. He controlled the ball smartly and unleashed a powerful left-footed volley into the top corner of the net.

After scoring the goal, Chhetri celebrated by kissing his wife Sonam, who was in the stands. In a post-match interview, he revealed that he dedicated the goal to him, mentioning that they were expecting a child. This heartwarming gesture added a personal touch to Chhetri’s remarkable achievement.

While Chhetri grabbed the headlines, there were other notable performances on the field as well. Nandkumar Sekar, making his debut, displayed his skills down the left flank, creating opportunities alongside his future club teammate Naorem Mahesh. Naorem impressed on the right channel, displaying excellent pace, creating space, and consistently looking to provide killer passes.

Despite their dominance in possession, India were under pressure due to missed opportunities, forcing Stimac to dictate from the edge. The team’s full-backs, Pritam Kotal and Subhasish Bose, stepped forward to deliver crosses into the box. However, his accuracy was lacking, and the central midfielder struggled to move the ball effectively.

Vanuatu, although limited in attacking prowess, defended tenaciously, preventing the Indian players from breaching their backline. But Chhetri’s goal finally found a way out of his defence. In reply, Stimac made substitutions, bringing on Sahal Abdul Samad, Anirudh Thapa, Jackson Singh and Lalinzuala Chhangte around the hour mark.

Earlier in the day, Mongolia held Lebanon, ranked 99th in the world, to a goalless draw, turning their match against India into a warm-up game before they meet again in the final on 15 June. Confront with Sunil Chhetri celebrates after scoring the crucial goal. Explained the passion and dedication he brings to the Indian team. With his remarkable skill and leadership, he inspires fans and has made a significant impact on Indian football.