India beat Afghanistan 2-1 in Asian Cup Qualifiers

The
win
helped
India
consolidate
their
position
in
the
group
as
they
seek
to
make
a
second
straight
appearance
in
the
Asian
Cup
and
fifth
overall,
having
been
knocked
out
in
the
group
stage
in
the
last
edition
in
2019.

Denied
for
86
minutes,
Chhetri
put
India
ahead
with
a
brilliant
free-kick
from
just
over
20
yards,
taking
only
a
couple
of
steps
before
unleashing
his
shot
straight
into
the
right
corner
of
the
net
beating
Afghanistan’s
goalkeeper.

It
was
the
Indian
superstar’s
83rd
goal
in
international
football
as
he
closed
in
on
second-placed
Argentine
genius
Lionel
Messi
among
active
players.

Afghanistan
equalised
within
two
minutes
as
Zubayr
Amiri
produced
a
sensational
header
in
the
88th
minute
of
the
match.
He
was
also
helped
by
poor
marking
by
the
Indian
defenders.

The
match
seemed
headed
for
a
1-1
stalemate
but
Samad
had
other
ideas.
After
a
fine
pass
from
Ashique
Kuruniyan,
Samad
made
some
room
for
himself
to
strike
the
ball
past
the
Afghanistan
goalkeeper,
leaving
the
spectators
at
the
Salt
Lake
Stadium
in
a
state
of
frenzy.

In
a
game
where
India
created
quite
a
few
opportunities
and
showed
their
intent
from
the
word
go,
Ashique
emerged
as
one
of
the
standout
performers
for
the
home
team
as
he
created
several
chances
to
keep
Afghanistan
defenders
on
their
toes
throughout
the
match.

India
dominated
the
match
for
most
parts
and
ended
as
the
deserving
winners.

The
hosts
were
coming
off
a
2-0
win
over
Cambodia
in
the
opener,
while
Afghanistan
entered
the
match
after
losing
to
Hong
Kong.

India
will
play
their
final
game
of
the
qualifiers
against
Hong
Kong
on
June
14.