Macau:
Substitute striker Balwant Singh's second-half
double strike helped India beat Macau 2-0 in a group league encounter of
the Asian Cup qualifying round, taking their unbeaten run in
international matches to 11.
The former Mohun Bagan goal poacher found the target in the 57th and
82nd minutes as the Blue Tigers won their third successive match in the
qualifying tournament, maintaining their pole position in the group with
nine points.
With nine points from three games, India are now firmly in contention to
seal a berth for the 2019 edition of the tournament. Ranked 96th in the
world, India were overwhelming favourites against minnows Macau, ranked
183rd.
However, the home team managed to defend their citadel in the first
half, which ended goalless.
It was Balwant, replacing Eugenesen Lyngdoh
after the change of ends, who broke the deadlock. In the 57th minute,
side-back Narayan Das overlapped down wide right and sent a floater
inside the box. Balwant timed his jump to perfection as he angled his
header with a marker in tow.
The second goal in the 82nd minute was more
to do with a defensive lapse as Balwant showed his predatory skills,
snatching a ball from an opposition defender just outside the corner of
the 18-yard box.
From the corner of his eye, he saw that custodian Ho
Man Fai was out of charge and his neat placement ensured an unassailable
lead for the visiting team. It wasn't one of the best matches for
India's lead strike duo of Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpheklhua as they
were man-marked by the home team defenders.
