The desired destination

Doha, June 15

India fought out an intense battle with an inspired Afghanistan team to seal a berth in the next qualifying round of the Asian Cup here today. Needing a draw to book direct entry into the third round of qualifying, world No. 105 India played out a 1-1 stalemate against world No. 149 Afghanistan. India finished third in Group E of the second round, a point above the Afghans. Despite being the lower-ranked side, Afghanistan, who needed a win to jump above India, showed great determination.

A howler by Afghanistan goalie Ovays Azizi handed India a 1-0 lead in the 75th minute but Hossein Zamani equalised in the 81st minute.

The two sides had also played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Dushanbe in 2019.

It was an open and fast-paced game with the Afghans playing a more physical game. Both sides were almost equal in ball possession and India had 10 shots on target as against seven from Afghanistan. But the Afghans committed 16 fouls as against nine by the Indians. Three Afghan players were shown yellow cards as against one of India.

India dominated the early period with captain Sunil Chhetri having a go at the opposition goal in the 10th minute.

The Afghans grew in confidence and were the better side in the later part of the first half and they had a few shots on target but none gave any difficulties to Indian custodian Gurpreet Singh.

The Afghans looked better early in the second session but India took the lead in the 75th minute.

Kuruniyan sent a high cross from the left. The Afghan goalie rose for what should have been an easy collection but the ball dropped down his hands and slipped in between his legs into the empty goal.

But, the joy of the Indians was short-lived as Zamani curled past Gurpreet. — PTI