Margao: Riding on Jeje Lalpekhlua’s goal, India put up a hard fought 2-2 draw against Myanmar in their fifth 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifier match at the Fatorda Stadium in Margao, Goa on Tuesday. Myanmar took the lead twice in the match, but the hosts despite putting up a lacklustre performance restored parity both the times, to ensure they extend their unbeaten streak to 13 matches. Captain Sunil Chhetri was the other scorer for India.
It was however Myanmar who looked more solid in the opening half. They took the lead 20 seconds into the match, when Naing Oo Yan jumped above all unmarked, to head in Thein Than Win’s cross from the left flank.
Things however settled when Chhetri scored the equaliser through a penalty after Heaing Bo Bo brought him down in the 13th minute and Chhetri made no mistake from the spot.
Myanmar who looked urgent in attacks once again took the lead, but with no efforts at all. Indian custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu handed a gift to the opposition after making blunder of a save, seven minutes after the Chhetri had equalised. Kyaw Ko Ko’s shot from outside the box was low and should have been a regular save for the goalkeeper, but Gurpreet’s atrocious attempt made it 2-1 for Myanmar as Indian found itself behind once again.
The goal looked to have been a wake up call and having recovered, Gurpreet was well on course to keep out a well directed free-kick minutes after the goal. India gained some momentum as the match progressed and could have well equalised, but Sandesh Jhingan missed a sitter with the ball at his feet, after a deflection from a Eugeneson Lyngdoh free-kick.
India were threatening on counter-attacks and had another glorious chance to score in the dying minutes of the first half, but Chhetri’s curled shot missed the post narrowly, as the first half drew to an end.
The second-half started equally but India seemed more confident on the ball, playing some sublime passes. Lyngdoh was brilliant throughout the match and it was his perfect long ball to Jeje from the middle of the park that found the net as India equalised in the 69th minute.
The hosts could have well won the match but missed a couple of easy chances. Nonetheless, India continue to remain undefeated in the calendar year. It will however take double the task, if India are to rub off the disappointment of not winning the Asia Cup ever in it’s history.