India confirm finals berth

Bengaluru : ‘Sleeping giant’ India woke up on Wednesday, securing their passage into the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates with a rousing 4-1 win against minnows Macau at the Sree Kanteerava stadium yesterday.

A fourth straight win in Group A saw the ‘Blue Tigers’ cement a top-2 finish in the qualifying round along with a berth in the main draw of the second oldest continental football championship in the world. India last played in the tournament in 2011 when they qualified after winning the AFC Challenge Cup. This is India’s fourth qualification after 1964, 1984 and 2011.

With over 4,000 fans watching on a rainy day in the Garden City, the hosts made heavy weather of their world No. 182 opponents, who put forth a brave challenge by playing some compact formations.

Macau troubled India till the hour mark when skipper Sunil Chhetri gave finishing touches to a brilliant run by super sub Balwant Singh, who had scored both the goals in the away leg last month. It took a while after changing ends to soak up the pressure as the visitors attacked in tandem through Carlos Fernandes and nippy midfielder Lam Ka Seng.

India broke the deadlock in a fast counter, catching the Macau defence unawares. Sent through by Jeje, Balwant - who was subbed in at the start of the second half - was off in a flash and Chhetri went up through the other side. With the only the ‘keeper to beat, Balwant unselfishly relayed the ball to Chhetri who fired in past Ho Man Fai in the 60th minute.

Macau were then done in by an own goal, ten minutes later. Holicharan Narzary came up with a probing cross from the right and Lam Seng’s clearance ballooned into the top right corner of the post. It was cat and mouse from then on but India’s lack of finishing denied them more goals to showcase their superiority.