India netted a goal in each half of the match against Afghanistan which got restricted to 10-man at the end during the fading moments. Kamalpreet Singh Grewal and Anirudh Thapa scored a goal each against Afghanistan which had defeated Maldives 3-1 in the opener on Friday.The two teams to qualify for the semifinal will depend upon outcome of next match between India and Maldives. Afghanistan could qualify if India wins or draws in the next match.
Kamalpreet headed Lalramzauva Khiangte's freekick as early as in the 11th minute to India which was playing the first match of the tournament.
After conceding the early goal, frustrated Afghans resorted to offensive approach and charged on goal on many occasions in the first half. However, they failed to break the stubborn Indian defense line up.
Afghanistan's Suliman Shah Khorami missed a chance in the 17th minute, while Yar Mohammad Zakar Khel finished poorly in the 26th minute after taking the ball from center.
India had chances to double the lead in the 44th minute, but Afghani goalkeeper Mohammad Nawadi punched Moinuddin's shot to safety. India, which was too tricky at counter attack doubled the tally in the 85th minute in one-on-one situation with Afghani custodian.
Afghanistan continued with its approach in the second half as well but failed shot wide on most of the occasions. Indian goalkeeper Sayak Barai also denied Afghanistan's All Ahmad Mansory scorcher in the 72nd minute.
Afghani goalie Mohammad saw red in the 90th minute after he was booked with second yellow card just outside the danger zone for foul on India's Japes Nongthongbam on one-on-one situation.
After the victory, India coach Syed Sabir Pasha said that the win boosted confidence of his team for the next match. "We were physically inferior against well-built Afghani team which is stronger side and at the same time we had difficulty in adjusting," said Pasha after the match. He also added that early goal set tone for his side and made it difficult for Afghanistan to bounce back in the game.
"We had organized defensive line that forced Afghanistan for random shot after they trailed early in the match," said India coach Syed Sabir Pasha.
However, his counterpart Hayatullah Logarwal said his side failed to capitalize the opportunities that they had created. "We were going good in the first half and created good chances but could not capitalize them," he said.
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