- Guwahati hosted the India vs Afghanistan FIFA World Cup Qualifier match
- Sunil Chhetri scored his 94th goal in the 150th appearance for India
- Afghanistan scored two goals in the second half
Team India faced yet another disappointing defeat, this time against Afghanistan at Guwahati. Team India was playing at home. They already managed a draw against Afghanistan in an away fixture. But the team needed a win to cement their position for the third round of qualifiers. Something that India has never achieved in the past.
Team India was on the back foot from the start and absorbed a flurry of attack from the Afghans. But with a quick counterattack, India won a penalty. Captain Sunil Chhetri stepped up and gave India the lead in the 38th minute with a well-placed spot kick. But as soon as Igor Stimac made changes in the 68th minute of the match, the Indian defence looked vulnerable.
Rahmat Akbari shot from outside the box, which found the back of the net after a slight deflection. In the closing moments of the game, goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was penalized for stopping the Afghanistan attacker in the box. It was a big blow for India as the goalie not only received a yellow card but gave away a penalty. Sharif Mukhammad didn’t miss the chance and gave Afghanistan a 2-1 lead in the match, which proved to be the final scoreline.
Sunil Chhetri Scored His 94th Goal in His 150th Appearance During India Vs Afghanistan Qualifier Match
Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri has been one of the top performers for the country for two decades now. He represented the country in 150 matches and now has 94 international goals. He stands in fourth place for international goals behind the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo (128 goals), Ali Daei (109 goals) and Lionel Messi (106 goals).
India’s top scorer was rewarded before the match for his achievements to date. He has scored for India in big moments. He scored on his debut, 50th, 100th, 125th and now in 150th game for the country. 2011 Arjuna Award winner Chhetri also received the Padma Shri award in 2019, India’s fourth-highest civilian award.
Also in the News: Indian Team Head Coach Igor Stimac Threatens to Quit if Nation Fails to Qualify For Third Round Ahead of India vs Afghanistan FIFA World Cup Qualifier Match
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