Lahore, 23 March: One-down India struck thrice late in 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 kept 1-0 lead against former Champion India until 67th minute and conceded three goals in the last 23 minutes.
Pakistan and India are all time rivals, either it is sports or it is social economic platform they stand face to face. Sports is the field where public love to watch them playing against each other, mostly India and Pakistan meet in cricket, football and hockey matches and make game more than just a game.
India and Pakistan have enjoyed a huge rivalry post-independence in every sport, both the nations have participated in since, be it Hockey,Football, Cricket, Kabaddi. Petaling Jaya match had already seen much of a surprising media attention, One thing is for sure, no matter which sport the two nations participate in, no matter which country the match takes place, any match between the arch rivals has attracted huge crowds from both the countries and the MBPJ Stadium, Petaling Jaya was packed more than usual, as fans are expected to show up and cheer their national football heroes.
India dominating the early proceedings and in the fifth minute, nice exchange of passes between Jagpreet Singh and Steven Dias saw Sunil Chhettri gets past his marker but his attempt deflected for corner. Thailand-based Zesh Rehman rescued Pakistan when he denied Jeje a clear-cut 10th minute opportunity.
Pakistan players trying to slow down the match and they have enjoyed a fair share of possession with both Rizwan Asif and Faisal Iqbal both were looking lively for Pakistan.
WAPDA’s defender Manzoor Ahmed returned back. He was not allowed by AFC to appear in Monday’s clash against Turkmenistan. According to Match Commissioner Manirul Islam (Bangladesh), he was suspended following a Red Card against Uzbekistan in the 36th Asian U19 Champion at Takhti Stadium, Iran on 10 December 2009.It was first half action during which Yemeni Referee Saleh Al-Yarimi had shown Manzoor the Yellow Card in the 30th minute, followed by Red Card six minutes later.
Back in Malaysia, the 20th minute saw Rahim Nabi played a superb ball from the left wing towards the centre, but neither Sunil nor Jeje could anticipate the ball and it goes out for a goal-kick.Pakistan produced chance in the 25th minute. Lovely exchange of passes between Muhammed Adil and Arif Hussain took a return pass from Muhammad Adil , but his drive well outside the box was too easy for Indian gloveman Subrata who collects with calmness. India enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in first 30 minutes and created a couple of good chances, but Pakistan defense stood firm and took the lead in the 32nd minute.A defensive blunder by Anwar gifted the goal as WAPDA’s Arif Mehmood gave no chance to Subrata. Pakistan led 1-0 at interval.
India went all out in quest of equalizer and wasted two corners in the 50th minute but their repeated attacks and substitution earned them the leveler in the 67th minute with young Mizoram-born Jeje Lalpekhula ( Indian Arrows), accelerated onto Sunil’s pass, beat Amir Gul all ends up. It was second goal for Jeje in as many event’s matches
India pressing hard to take the lead and in the 85th minute, Nabi and Sunil who found Jeje with a clever back-heal. Jeje came close with a left footer, but the Gul was alert under Pakistan’s bar. 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.
Two teams were
Pakistan
Goalkeepers: Amir Gul (NBP), Muhammad Omar (KESC)
Defenders: Manzoor Ahmed (WAPDA), Alamgir Khan (Police), Atif Bashir Qureshi (Barry Town, Wales), Samar Ishaq (KRL) CAP, Zeeshan Rehman (Muangthong United FC, Thailand),
Midfielders: Faisal Iqbal (NBP), Syed Arif Hussain (WAPDA), Muhammad Adil (KRL), Mahmood Khan (KRL), Kashif Mumtaz Siddiqui (Fresno Fuego, USA), Abdul Aziz (NBP) VC, Nasr Ullah Khan (PIA), Adnan Farooq Ahmed (Aboomoslem FC, Iran),
Strikers : Jadeed Khan Pathan (WAPDA), Rizwan Asif (KRL), Kalim Ullah (KRL), Imran Niazi (WAPDA), Arif Mehmood (WAPDA), Muhammad Qasim (KRL).
Coach : Tariq Lutfi
India
Goalkeepers: Subrata Paul, Gurpreet Singh, Jagroop Singh.
Defenders: Denzil Franco, Gourmangi Singh , Anwar , Mohan Raj, Nirmal Chhetri , Syed Rahim Nabi, Govin Singh, N.S.Manju, Raju Gaikwad.
Midfielders: Steven Dias, Joaquim Abranches, Baldip Singh, Jagpreet Singh, Rakesh Masih, Jewel Raja, Shilton D’Silva.
Forwards: Sunil Chhetri (Captain), Sushil Singh, CS Sabeeth, Jeje Lalpekhulua.
Coach : Robert Douglas Houghton