India start the Intercontinental Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win against Mongolia

It was one of the quickest starts for India in terms of scoring a goal, the second-quickest under Igor Stimac to be precise, as midfielder Sahal Abdul Samad gifted India the lead by completing a great move.

Anwar Ali who started it with an overhead ball to Anirudh Thapa, who was occupying the right flank. He then played the ball across the face of the goal, just behind an oncoming Sunil Chhetri, but Sahal was right there to drive the ball into the back of the net.

Getting the taste of scoring so early on in the game, India looked to be in the mood. Apuia missed a goal by mere inches, while his Mumbai City FC teammate doubled India's lead with a shot from point-blank range.

Thapa was yet again in the thick of things as he delivered a magnificent ball which found the towering Sandesh Jhingan. The centre-back made the best possible connection he could have and thumped the ball towards goal.

The attempt was blocked by a defender when a lurking Chhangte side-footed the loose ball inside the net. India seemed to be in great rhythm within the first 20 minutes of the game but that was that for the Blue Tigers.