LAHORE – India struck three late goals in the second half to beat Pakistan 3-1 in the fourth AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers Group B match on Wednesday at MBJP Stadium, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Pakistan led 1-0 lead until the 67th minute but conceded three goals in the last 23 minutes. India dominating the early proceedings and in the fifth minute, nice exchange of passes between Jagpreet Singh and Steven Dias saw Sunil Chhettri get past his marker but his attempt deflected for a corner. Thailand-based Zesh Rehman rescued Pakistan when he denied Jeje an opportunity in the 10th minute.
Pakistan players enjoyed a fair share of possession with both Rizwan Asif and Faisal Iqbal looking lively. The 20th minute saw Rahim Nabi play a superb ball from the left wing towards the centre, but neither Sunil nor Jeje could anticipate the ball. Pakistan produced chance in the 25th minute. Arif Hussain took a return pass from Muhammad Adil, but his drive well outside the box was too easy for Indian keeper Subrata. Pakistan took the lead in the 32nd minute after a defensive blunder by Anwar, and WAPDA’s Arif Mehmood made no mistake. Pakistan led 1-0 at interval.
India went all out in quest of an equaliser and wasted two corners in the 50th minute but their repeated attacks and substitution earned them the leveler in the 67th minute when Jeje accelerated onto Sunil’s pass and beat goalie Amir Gul to score his second goal in the event. Steven Dias stunned Pakistan in the 90th minute to make it 2-1 and it was left to Jeje to add another in the 4th minute of injury time. WAPDA’s defender Manzoor Ahmed made a return in yesterday’s match.
