ID :
170350
Wed, 03/23/2011 - 22:15
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/170350
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India beat Pak 3-1, qualify for AFC Challenge Cup final round
Kuala Lumpur, Mar 23 (PTI) India struck two late goals
as they beat Pakistan 3-1 in their second league match of the
2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers to book a place in the final
round of the tournament, here on Wednesday.
With the win at MBPJ Stadium, their second in as
many matches after thrashing Chinese Taipei 3-0 on Monday,
India have secured six points, enough to advance to next
year's final round.
Turkmenistan beat Chinese Taipei 2-0 in Monday's
another league match to also qualify for the final round.
Turkmenistan had beaten Pakistan 3-0 in their opening match.
The top two sides from the four-team Group B
qualifying round advance to the final round. The venue for the
final round is yet to be decided.
India had won the 2008 edition of the tournament which
had given them the right to play in the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar
in January.
India trailed 0-1 at the breather, with striker Arif
Mohammed scoring for Pakistan, but Jeje Lalpekhlua (67th and
90+3) and Steven Dias (90th, penalty) sealed India's victory.
Both sides started on a cautious note but India made a
few shots at the opposition goal through defender Anwar Ali
and Jeje in the first 15 minutes of the game.
It was, however, Pakistan who took the lead against
the run of the play in the 32nd minute. Striker Arif shot a
low angle right-footer from near the sidelines which hit the
ground and took uneven bounce before beating India custodian
Subrata Pal.
After change of ends, India pressed for goals and
captain Sunil Chhetri's attempt a minute into the second half
saw the ball hitting the cross bar.
India had another attempt in the 65th minute when
Chhetri collided with Pakistan defender Manzoor Ahmed and the
ball nearly missed the cross bar.
The incessant attack bore fruit as India found the
equaliser through Jeje in the 67th minute. Winger Syed Rahim
Nabi laid the ball through the left flank and Jeje did no
mistake in beating Pakistan custodian Amir Gul.
Bob Houghton's charges took 2-1 lead in the 90th
minute from the spotkick after a Pakistani defender brought
down Jeje in a dangerous tackle inside the area. Dias stepped
up to convert from the spot.
Jeje completed his brace in the third minute of the
four-minute injury time from a counter attack.
Pakistan forward line moved towards the Indian box
seeking for an equaliser but a swift counter attack by India
saw Chhetri lobing the ball from near the centreline to Jeje
who got the better of a couple of Pakistani defenders before
finding the net to make it 3-1.
India play Turkmenistan on Friday in the last league
match to decide the group topper.
Houghton praised his charges for their fighting spirit
to recover from a goal down.
"It was a good game and the result tells we were
really dominating. We were down by a goal at half time. But
the boys showed good spirit to come back," he said after the
match.
"We missed chances, so many easy chances. We hit the
post, cross bar. We should have two penalties through
handballs on goal line."
as they beat Pakistan 3-1 in their second league match of the
2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers to book a place in the final
round of the tournament, here on Wednesday.
With the win at MBPJ Stadium, their second in as
many matches after thrashing Chinese Taipei 3-0 on Monday,
India have secured six points, enough to advance to next
year's final round.
Turkmenistan beat Chinese Taipei 2-0 in Monday's
another league match to also qualify for the final round.
Turkmenistan had beaten Pakistan 3-0 in their opening match.
The top two sides from the four-team Group B
qualifying round advance to the final round. The venue for the
final round is yet to be decided.
India had won the 2008 edition of the tournament which
had given them the right to play in the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar
in January.
India trailed 0-1 at the breather, with striker Arif
Mohammed scoring for Pakistan, but Jeje Lalpekhlua (67th and
90+3) and Steven Dias (90th, penalty) sealed India's victory.
Both sides started on a cautious note but India made a
few shots at the opposition goal through defender Anwar Ali
and Jeje in the first 15 minutes of the game.
It was, however, Pakistan who took the lead against
the run of the play in the 32nd minute. Striker Arif shot a
low angle right-footer from near the sidelines which hit the
ground and took uneven bounce before beating India custodian
Subrata Pal.
After change of ends, India pressed for goals and
captain Sunil Chhetri's attempt a minute into the second half
saw the ball hitting the cross bar.
India had another attempt in the 65th minute when
Chhetri collided with Pakistan defender Manzoor Ahmed and the
ball nearly missed the cross bar.
The incessant attack bore fruit as India found the
equaliser through Jeje in the 67th minute. Winger Syed Rahim
Nabi laid the ball through the left flank and Jeje did no
mistake in beating Pakistan custodian Amir Gul.
Bob Houghton's charges took 2-1 lead in the 90th
minute from the spotkick after a Pakistani defender brought
down Jeje in a dangerous tackle inside the area. Dias stepped
up to convert from the spot.
Jeje completed his brace in the third minute of the
four-minute injury time from a counter attack.
Pakistan forward line moved towards the Indian box
seeking for an equaliser but a swift counter attack by India
saw Chhetri lobing the ball from near the centreline to Jeje
who got the better of a couple of Pakistani defenders before
finding the net to make it 3-1.
India play Turkmenistan on Friday in the last league
match to decide the group topper.
Houghton praised his charges for their fighting spirit
to recover from a goal down.
"It was a good game and the result tells we were
really dominating. We were down by a goal at half time. But
the boys showed good spirit to come back," he said after the
match.
"We missed chances, so many easy chances. We hit the
post, cross bar. We should have two penalties through
handballs on goal line."
