India scored twice in each half as they beat Hong Kong 4-0 in their closing match of the Group D League of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifying round at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday.
The remarkable win helped India top the group with nine points from three wins and a place in the main round of the Asian Cup for the second time in a row for the first time.
Hong Kong (six points) also made it to the final stage as one of the second best finishers in the six groups.
The Indians, looking to seize the initiative, went on the attack from the kick start. He won a corner with barely 30 seconds on the clock. Opting for a short corner, Jackson Singh sent a sharp cross to Hong Kong’s Golmouth.
early strike
Ashiq Kurunian saw his first attempt ricocheting off an opposition defender before Anwar swooped down on the rebound to fire the ball into the ceiling of the net.
The hosts doubled the lead in the last minute of the first half with a brilliant performance from Sunil Chhetri. The India captain found the target with a left footed grounder, receiving a Jackson free-kick.
Chhetri’s 84th international goal saw him join Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas and move up to fifth on the international goalscorer’s list.
Despite torrential rain at the end of the opening half, the Indians weathered the conditions to hold on to the competition. Manveer Singh made it 3-0 in the 85th minute before setting up Pandita, who completed the tally in injury time (90+3).
Result: India 4 (Anwar 1, Chhetri 45, Manveer 85, Ishan 90+3) bt Hong Kong 0.
Afghanistan 2 (Faisal Shaysteh 16, Mustafa Zazai 35) drew with Cambodia 2 (Brak Thiwa 37, Keo Sokfeng 81).