The contest — which appeared to be heading towards another stalemate between India and Afghanistan — suddenly came alive with all its beauty and brutality. Sunil Chhetri conjured a magical moment, brilliantly curling a free-kick around the wall and beating Afghanistan goalkeeper Faisal Hamidi all ends up to hand the hosts a 1-0 lead.
But India’s joy was short-lived as Afghanistan struck within two minutes, substitute Zubayr Amiri heading home Mustafa Zazai’s corner.
Here’s how things stand after tonight’s match ????#AFGIND ⚔️ #ACQ2023 ???? #BackTheBlue ???? #BlueTigers ???? #IndianFootball… https://t.co/UB6xP5qvIn
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) 1654975433000
Stunned and frustrated, Stimac brought in Sahal Abdul Samad and the Kerala Blasters player took little time to embrace a cometh-the-hour-cometh-the-man moment in stunning fashion.
Having received the pass from Ashique Kuruniyan inside the box, he looked up and beat Hamidi with astonishing composure and turned it into the match-winner in the first minute of the injury time, sending the Indian bench and supporters in raptures.
????️ @sahal_samad: I badly wanted to do something on the field, even if it was for 5 minutes ????#AFGIND ⚔️ #ACQ2023 ????… https://t.co/7xfR6s6Bog
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) 1654972006000
The 2-1 victory against Afghanistan here on Saturday put India on course for a berth in the next year’s Asian Cup.
Both India and Hong Kong are now on six points each and their clash on Tuesday will determine the group winners.
90+2’ GOOOOALLL!! Sahal scores just at the stroke of full time from Ashique’s low cross inside the box! AFG 1️⃣… https://t.co/JFrq4s4vaE
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) 1654966424000
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