A stunning goal from talisman Sunil Chhetri and an injury-time strike from Sahal Abdul Samad powered India to a 2-1 victory over Afghanistan in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers in Kolkata late Saturday evening.
India will now play their final game of the qualifiers against Hong Kong on June 14.
The win helped India consolidate their position in the group as they seek to make a second straight appearance in the Asian Cup and fifth overall, having been knocked out in the group stage in the last edition in 2019.
Denied for 86 minutes, Chhetri put India ahead with a brilliant free-kick from just over 20 yards, taking only a couple of steps before unleashing his shot straight into the right corner of the net beating Afghanistan’s goalkeeper.
It was the Indian superstar’s 83rd goal in international football as he closed in on second-placed Argentine genius Lionel Messi among active players.
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