Bhutia inspires 2-1 win over Kyrgyzstan on 100th appearance
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Skipper Bhaichung Bhutia scored a goal and was involved in the other on his 100th India appearance to set up a 2-1 win over Kyrgyzstan in the five-nation Nehru Cup tournament on Sunday.
Holders India, needing a win to stay on course for a place in the final, took the lead close to halftime when the seasoned striker trapped a long goalkick and his angular shot bounced in off both posts.
India, who lost 1-0 to Lebanon in the opening game, scored again in the 57th minute when fellow striker Sunil Chhetri converted a penalty after Kyrgyzstan 'keeper Pavel Matiash tripped Bhutia.
Kyrgyzstan squandered a penalty off the next move when forward Ildar Amirov, fouled trying to score, saw his kick punched away by a diving Indian 'keeper Subrata Paul.
Mirlan Murzaev scored in the dying minutes to narrow the margin, but the second defeat dashed Kyrgyzstan's hopes for a place in the final, after the 2-0 defeat to favourites Syria.
© Thomson Reuters 2010 All rights reserved
Greek crisis sets euro zone enlargement back
The Greek debt crisis has dealt a setback to prospects of enlarging the euro zone by highlighting the difficulties of managing the single currency area. Full Article
Good for Afghanistan efforts
An easing of tension between India and Pakistan should help U.S.-led efforts to stabilise Afghanistan. Full Article
