New Delhi: A hat-trick from striker Sunil Chhetri powered hosts India to a 4-1 win over holders Tajikistan in the AFC Challenge Cup final on Wednesday, securing them qualification for the 2011 Asian Cup finals in Qatar.
India's win in the eight-nation tournament to promote lower ranked teams in the region comes as serious attempts are being made to revive the national team of the former Asian Games champions.
India raced ahead 3-0 by the 23rd minute and then kept their cool under constant pressure from 2006 winners Tajikistan in the second half.
The diminutive Chhetri tapped in the first goal and then scored on the turn from 25 metres for the third, after fellow striker and captain Bhaichung Bhutia had curled a shot to the left of goalkeeper Alisher Tuychiev to make it 2-0.
Tajikistan sorely missed key striker Davrondzhon Tukhtasunov, who was suspended after he was shown the red card in a fracas which followed an ill-tempered semi-final win over North Korea.
Tajikistan midfielder Fatkullo Fatkuloev struck the underside of the bar before scoring with a swerving attempt from outside the penalty area nearing halftime, but Chhetri's third well into the second half put India's win beyond doubt.
North Korea downed Myanmar 4-0 to claim third place thanks to a hat-trick by midfielder Pak Song-chol. The final, originally scheduled in the southern city of Hyderabad on Sunday, was moved after rain rendered the ground unplayable.
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