10:05 pm: New Zealand have won two matches on the trot now and suddenly, India’s chances of making the final take a hit. Should Kenya win big again Taipei on Friday (every chance they could), India could end up missing out on a place in the final. (But it will have to be really big win for Kenya for India to miss out)
That’s it from us tonight, more to come from Arka Bhattacharya in the form of a report and analysis. Stay tuned. Good night!
FULL-TIME: Chhetri and Co applaud the fans despite the defeat. And it’s time for Viking Clap that has now become a feature of India’s home games.
Thoughts from Arka Bhattacharya at MFA: It’s over. India have lost 1-2. On the balance of play, you’d have to say it was a fair reflection of the game. India not creating enough up front, taking the lead fortuitously, only for NZ to hit back with two well-worked goals. Sarpreet Singh was the star for the All-Whites and should pick up the man of the match award for two gorgeous assists.
FULL TIME, NEW ZEALAND DEFEAT INDIA 2-1: A disappointing result for the Indian team, and NZ win throws the tournament wide open.
94th min: India fighting hard for an equaliser, pressure created from a free kick. But nothing comes of it.
Into five mins of extra-time, India 1-2 New Zealand: CHANCE! Jeje had a big opportunity to equalise, as NZ mess up a clearance. Good footwork to give himself space but the shot is high and wide.
Arka reports that Sarpreet comes off for a mixture of boos and applause, the former because he’s put India to the sword, the latter because he’s been that good
86th minute, NZ take the lead: GOAL, New Zealand! Well, it was coming. They are finishing the game much the stronger side and substitute Dyer puts them ahead with less than 5 mins left. Runs through on the left, latches on a chipped through ball from Sarpreet and trickles it past Amrinder. Shoddy defending, great finishing.
After 85 mins India 1-1 New Zealand
How good is Sarpreet Singh? A wonderfully skilled player, nimble-footed, some delicious touches. India would love to have a player like him in their lineup – full of creative energy.
NZ are finishing this game on a high...
After 80 mins India 1-1 New Zealand
NZ have had 8 corners , India ZERO. Some stat that. Amrinder gathers well from the latest corner. Which actually came after sustained pressure from NZ. Salam Singh made a crucial last-man block when it seemed certain that NZ will take the lead.
After 75 mins India 1-1 New Zealand
The tempo has gone down a bit with more substitutions happening.
Arka Bhattacharya: The left side hasn’t been India’s most productive tonight. First Kuruniyan and then Narzary have been extremely wasteful.Jhingan enters to rapturous applause, as Narayan comes off. This means Bose will move to the left, with Sandesh moving to the centre
After 70 mins , India 1-1 New Zealand
More attacking play from the Blue Tigers, with the game opening up a bit now. Chhetri’s whipped FK from the left is ordinary, but it causes confusion in the box, but NZ clear.
SCENARIOS for New Zealand: Kenya are playing Taipei tomorrow. If NZ draw, Kenya only need a point to go through on head to head. If they win tonight, they’ll have to hope Kenya end up with an inferior GD to them.
As things stand, India 7 points, Kenya 3, NZ 4, Taipei 0
After 65 minutes, India 1-1 New Zealand
With Udanta giving width and Jeje dropping in the hole, India are starting to enjoy a little more controlled possession now. Those three are so crucial for the team’s chances. And Jeje, especially, has been impressive since coming on.
STAT ALERT: Chhetri, Mr. Consistent, scores again today.
After 58 mins, India 1-1 New Zealand
It’s been all New Zealand since the equaliser. Sarpreet Singh has been everywhere for the All Whites! So influential on the attacking play for the visitors. Cross after cross, India just about hanging on.
Arka Bhattacharya, on a manic start to the second half: What a crazy couple of minutes at the Andheri Arena. The NZ keeper with an almighty howler, giving Chhetri the easiest of finishes. Sarpreet Singh then with a delightful through ball for Andre De Jong, who makes no mistake with the finish.
After 50 mins, India 1-1 New Zealand
GOAL! Well, India’s lead didn’t last long. What do they say about being most vulnerable just after scoring? De Jong scores, with a neat little finish. It’s 1-1 after a manic start to 2nd half.
46th min: GOAL!! Sunil Chhetri, who else. The assist goes to NZ goalkeeper though, who hits a clearance straight at Chhetri’s feet and it rolls into the net.
Changes: Balwant, Borges, Kuruniyan offPronay Halder, Narzary and Jeje are on, Jeje is on for his 50th international game in blue
Second half underway: And Jeje Lalpekhlua comes on for his 50th appearance!
HALF-TIME: India 0-0 New Zealand
Plenty to think about for Constantine and Co as they head to the change rooms. If New Zealand had their head right (pun intended) there’s no way it was still 0-0 in this game.
Thoughts from Arka Bhattacharya on that first half: First half comes to an end with New Zealand by far the more likely of the two teams to score. Lots of talking points for India - Rafique’s substitution, Kuruniyan’s feisty but error-strewn display on the left, losing of aerial battles. 0-0, with all to play for after the break?
HALF-TIME: India 0-0 New Zealand
Chhetri goes close! A lovely aerial ball by Balwant, Chhetri – who started the move from the left flank – makes a dazzling run, while Aashique swings it in for Balwant, who heads it onto the path of Chhetri. The captain just dinks it over the bar, as the crowd roars ‘Chhetri, Chhetri’ in unison. That shot first time was brilliant technique. Brilliant move. Another dangerous freekick for NZ at the end of the half, Sarpreet Singh strikes the wall. India hang on! Lucky to be heading into the half time without conceding.
After 43 mins India 0-0 New Zealand
Subhashish Bose becomes the second Indian to be booked and it’s a ugly tackle, to be honest. Another referee could have gone for red there. It’s another free kick from a dangerous position and Pritam Kotal this time covers the runner well. He’s been good for India at the back but the overall communication has been all over the place...
A counterattack from the corner... Chhetri and Udanta break forward in pace, it’s 3 on 3, Chhetri finds Aashique down the left and he just sucks the momentum out of the break, takes too long on the ball and NZ clear.
After 38 mins India 0-0 New Zealand
Sarpreet Singh (New Zealand’s No 22) has had a fair few chances to put his side ahead. Still goalless though.
Oh, and a great reflex save by Amrinder from a corner just as we say that! A glancing header but it was dealt with brilliantly by India’s custodian. Lots of pressure applied by NZ from the corner, with Nikko Boxall inches away from converting Amrinder’s rebound.
And seconds later, a free kick finds a All Whites player free in the box, Amrinder beaten, but the header goes to wide - harder to miss than score from that position, says the commentator.
India living dangerously here.
After 32 mins India 0-0 New Zealand
A much-changed Indian side hasn’t been able to create too many chances. Very physical game, but NZ continue to test the Indian defence, especially down the right wing and with long shots.
An early change for India, Rafique makes way for the speedy Udanta Singh.
Arka Bhattacharya: Wow, Mo’ Rafique is hooked in the 28th minute. Udanta Singh comes on for the midfielder. No clear-cut indication of an injury but the commentators seem to think there was a niggle.
After 24 mins India 0-0 New Zealand
Oh! The NZ goalkeeper almost gifts the goal for India’s captain early on. A cross from the right to the far post aimed for Chhetri’s head, the GK comes out and makes a mess of it. Chhetri controls well and tries to beat the goalkeeper with his footwork but doesn’t succeed. Could well have been a penalty too. Game being played out in the midfield now.
Arka Bhattacharya: Crowd heavily booing NZ’s number 11 Jai Emile Ingham’s every touch. Caught Kuruniyan by the shirt early on and then provoked Narayan Das into picking up a yellow card.
After 17 mins, India 0-0 New Zealand
Narayan Das is the first Indian to get into the ref’s books, a rash sliding challenge high up on the field. Totally unnecessary. Earlier in the 11th min, a great chance for NZ to take the lead as a cross to the far post found a player bearing down on goal but the timing of the header was off and it went over the goal. India struggling to put together passes going forward.
A break in play here after a clash of heads...
After 10 mins, India 0-0 New Zealand
NZ have come with a clear plan to mark Chhetri out of this game - and it’s working so far. No space and time being afforded for the Indian captain, and you’d think this is where Balwant needs to step in.
A bit of acting and over-reacting from Kuruniyan and the New Zealand number 11 John Ingham there – an argy-bargy as you’d say, results in a yellow card for the NZ players – at the left touchline. Kuruniyan seems up for this, involved heavily early on.
After 5 mins, India 0-0 New Zealand
Balwant is freed down the right by Chhetri and he finds the captain with a return cross for India’s first chance, but he is crowded out in the box.
India’s formation loosely resembles a 4-3-1-2 with Thapa playing in behind Chhetri and Balwant.Kuruniyan, Rowllin in the middle and Rafique spread across midfield.
After 3 mins, India 0-0 New Zealand
Early pressure from New Zealand, couple of chances against the new-look defence. Amarinder called into action early in India’s goal.
Arka Bhattacharya, on the changes today: Rowllin and Rafique finally back into the line-up after the horror show against the Kyrgyz Republic.It will be interesting to see how Chhetri links up with Balwant Singh, the farthest forward.Narayan, hooked off at half-time in his last start, has Subhasish Bose and Jerry Lalrinzuala ahead of him in the pecking order and will look to make this opportunity count.
08:00 pm: The All Whites get things going against the Blue Tigers.
07:57 pm: National anthems done... moments away from the kickoff.
07:55 pm: Will Sunil Chhetri add to his goal tally tonight? He’s in elite company when it comes to scoring for the national team. No Jeje in the lineup today, mind you. He’ll have to wait for his 50th International Cap.
07:45 pm: Seven changes for India, with Ashique Kuruniyan making his first start on the right, Arka Bhattacharya confirms from Mumbai Football Arena. Stay tuned for more updates from him from the stadium. Expected to be another packed house.
07:41 pm: Here are the starting lineups.
07:40 pm: Hello all, and welcome to The Field’s live blog of India’s third match at the Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai. The opponents for the Blue Tigers today are New Zealand. India have won both their matches so far and are sitting pretty at the top of the table, all but assured of a place in the final.