India started their SAFF Championship 2023 campaign with a resounding 4-0 win over arch-rivals Pakistan at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. Sunil Chhetri, the Indian skipper, scored a hat-trick while Udanta Singh added the fourth.
Following the match, Pakistan’s assistant coach Torben Witajewski cited visa and travel issues as one of the reasons for their defeat. The problem about the travel was we received the visa very late and a lot of problems in Mumbai at the airport with the immigration. So it was tough for the guys. The last group arrived at half past one in the hotel today (Wednesday). After 16 hours, right. So this is not easy, it’s very tough but you have to cope with the situation. You cannot change it, said the coach at the press conference after the routing.
Earlier, Chhetri netted an early brace before adding another after the break to complete his fourth international hat-trick and take his goal tally to 90. Substitute Udanta Singh then sealed the win late on to make it a memorable night for the Blue Tigers on their return to Bengaluru after almost six years.
Pakistan was scheduled to arrive in Bengaluru a day before the fixture, although some players only arrived in the city a few hours before the match. We cannot change the situation so I suppose the federation did everything but it is like this. It was clear we have to cope with the situation like we played. It was difficult, Witajewski added.
Despite Pakistan’s travel issues, India’s performance was impressive and will give the team confidence heading into the rest of the tournament. With Chhetri in top form, India will be looking to go all the way and win the SAFF Championship 2023.
