Anirudh Thapa, a 20-year-old, expressed pure joy and satisfaction following his debut goal that contributed to a significant victory against Thailand, marking a pivotal moment for the Indian team. Despite a modest first-half performance, Anirudh Thapa showcased immense determination at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, propelling his country to a resounding win. This achievement came in his 12th appearance for India!
Reflecting on the match, Thapa conveyed his elation, highlighting the game’s importance both personally and for his nation. He emphasized that the 4-1 triumph over Thailand was crucial, especially following the weight of expectations from the 2011 loss to Australia in the initial Asian Cup match. Little did Thapa, a young boy at St. Stephen’s Academy in Chandigarh at the time, anticipate that he would debut in the 2019 Asian Cup with a goal.
Discussing his goal-scoring moment, Thapa described his role as a central midfielder running across the field. He recounted how, when Sunil Chhetri passed the ball to Udanta Singh on the diagonal run in the Thailand half during the 68th minute, Udanta slipped momentarily and directed the ball to him. Seeing the goalkeeper and defenders positioning themselves, Thapa seized the opportunity and successfully scored a goal with a chip shot!
Furthermore, Anirudh shared his subdued reaction to scoring the goal, expressing his lack of expectations for such a monumental achievement in his Asian Cup debut. He mentioned his preference for assisting teammates and hinted at celebrations saved for India’s next match against UAE, emphasizing that the victory was not just for the team but for the entire nation.
