Already through to the main tournament, India played out a 2-2 draw against Myanmar in the return-leg match of the AFC Asian Cup qualifying Group 'A' match here yesterday. The home side came back twice in the match to hold the visiting side and continue their unbeaten streak in 13 matches. Myanmar scored through Yan Naing Oo (1st minute) and Kyaw Ko Ko (19th) while Sunil Chhetri (12th; penalty) and Jeje Lalpekhlua (69th) found the target at the Nehru Stadium here.
India skipper Sunil Chhetri (in blue) heads the ball during the AFC Asian Cup Qualifier at Nehru Stadium in Goa yesterday. Pic/PTI
India had beaten Myanmar 1-0 in the first leg in Yangon in March through a Chhetri winner. With yesterday's draw, India are on the top of the group with 13 points from five matches. Myanmar are placed second with five points from four matches. India have already qualified for the AFC Asian Cup 2019 in UAE after beating Macau 4-1 in Bangalore last month. True to captain Chhetri's words that Myanmar were a tough side, the visitors scored as early as the first minute before the home team defence could settle down.
A quick build up on the left saw Thein Than run down the left flank and send a perfect cross into the box for Yan Naing Oo to head in to put the home team under early pressure. India's defence was shaken by the early goal and nearly conceded another two minutes later but Kyaw Ko Ko shot straight to goalie Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. India took time to settle down and earned a penalty in the 12th minute when Heaing Bo Bo brought down Chhetri inside the box. Chhetri himself took the penalty and made no mistake in finding the net.
