India beats Pak in AFC cup qualifiers

India struck two late goals as they beat Pakistan 3-1 in their second league match of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers to book a place in the final round of the tournament on Wednesday.

With their second win in as many matches,India have secured six points,enough to advance to the final round. Turkmenistan beat Chinese Taipei 2-0 in the days another league match to also qualify for the final round. Turkmenistan had beaten Pakistan 3-0 in their opening match. The venue for the final round is yet to be decided.

India trailed 0-1 at the breather,with striker Arif Mohammed scoring for Pakistan,but Jeje Lalpekhlua (67th and 90+3) and Steven Dias (90th,penalty) sealed Indias victory. Both sides started on a cautious note but India made a few shots at the opposition goal through defender Anwar Ali and Jeje in the first 15 minutes of the game.

It was,however,Pakistan who took the lead in the 32nd minute. Striker Arif shot a low angle right-footer from near the sidelines which hit the ground and took uneven bounce before beating India custodian Subrata Pal. After change of ends,India pressed for goals and the incessant attack bore fruit as India found the equaliser through Jeje in the 67th minute. The team took 2-1 lead in the 90th minute from the spot. Jeje completed his brace in the third minute of the four-minute injury time from a counter attack.

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