AFC Asia Cup: India beat Afghanistan 2-1 in qualifiers
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Credits: AIFF
Kolkata: India won against Afghanistan 2-1 in the AFC Asia Cup Qualifiers on Saturday, powered by one goal by Sunil Chhetri and an injury-time goal by Sahal Abdul Samad, Salt Lake Stadium here, PTI reported.
The win has taken the team a step closer to the second successive final appearance and 5th overall.
India's lucky charm Sunil Chhetri took a free-kick at the 86th minute, 20 yards far and found the target at the right corner of the goalpost, bypassing the goalkeeper. The successful shot on target was Chhetri's 83rd international goal.
However, Afghanistan found the equalizer in 88 minutes through Zubayr Amiri's header. India allowed the goal through defenders' poor marking.
However, Sahal Abdul Samad diverted the inching stalemate at the injury time, taking a fine pass from Ashique Kuruniyan and executing successfully.
While India brought out a well-defined performance, creating many opportunities and showed their intention even from the start. Ashique showed good mettle, who assisted well and created chances to challenge Afghan defenders throughout the match. India dominated the game in total after their 2-0 win against Cambodia. Afghan faced India after a loss against Hong Kong.
India will face Hong Kong, the final game of the former's in qualifiers, on June 14.