Igor Stimac got his young squad on the field. But India had to once again fall on a finishing touch from the veteran Sunil Chhetri in Bhubaneswar on Monday as he announced that he was about to be a father in celebrating the winner that almost ensured his team's berth in the International Cup final.
The hosts beat Vanuatu by a solitary Chhetri strike in the 80th minute and rode the stalemate by Lebanon against Mongolia in the afternoon kickoff to go on top of the table and continue their winning run at home. It was, however, disappointing for the 164th-ranked Vanuatu who put up an excellent show in defence led by their veteran skipper Brian Kaltack and kept the Indians at bay from the goal for 79 minutes.
