Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: India, Lebanon, Palestine and the Philippines all maintained perfect records after the conclusion of an enthralling Matchday Two of the third round of 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
Group A
Sunil Chhetri was India’s match-winner once more as he netted the only goal in sublime fashion after the Blue Tigers defeated Kyrgyzstan 1-0 in Bangalore.
Myanmar, who suffered a defeat at home to the Indians in Matchday Day One – that man Chhetri with a goal in injury time – bounced back from their opening 1-0 loss to comprehensively beat Macau 4-0 in the Chinese autonomous territory.
India remain top with six points, with Myanmar and Kyrgyzstan three behind and Macau yet to pick a point.
CHHETRI DELIGHTED WITH INDIA'S IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY
Group B
With 11 minutes to go in Johor Bahru, Malaysia looked set to open their qualifying third round campaign with a 1-0 win courtesy of Mahali Jasuli’s goal before half-time. That is until Lebanon’s Rabih Ataya struck.
His brace, with the second coming deep in injury time, saw the West Asians retain top spot in Group B with the chasing back five points or more behind.
DPR Korea have only played one game, though, but they may have been disappointed by the 1-1 draw in Hong Kong where they were dominant for long spells.
However, despite Kim Yu-song’s equalizer cancelling out Tan Chun-lok’s opener the Koreans could not make further headway.
HOPE FOR MALAYSIA DESPITE DEFEAT TO LEBANON, SAYS VINGADA
Group C
By contrast, Group C remains tightly poised with Matchday One’s bottom side Cambodia now leaping to second spot after a win over Afghanistan in front of 40,000 in Phnom Penh.
Leaders Jordan are just a point ahead of the Kingdom after being held to a goalless draw with Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Vietnamese are a point behind neighbours Cambodia in third place but will play their fellow Southeast Asians in Matchday Three, while Jordan will host bottom side Afghanistan.
VITORINO: SENSE OF BELIEF BEHIND CAMBODIA WIN
Group D
After thrashing Bhutan 14-0 in Matchday One, Oman found Palestine a much tougher proposition going down 2-1 to the West Asians in Al Ram.
The Maldives also go the better of Bhutan in Thimpu, winning 2-0, to join Oman on three points thanks to goals from Ali Fasir and Ahmed Abdulla.
Palestine are sitting pretty on six points from their two games, while Bhutan have work to do without a goal nor a point so far. Top face bottom on Matchday Three meanwhile Oman will entertain the Maldives.
SPITTLER SEES A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR BHUTAN DESPITE DEFEAT
Group E
With Home United flying high in the AFC Cup and an encouraging draw away at Bahrain on Matchday One, a 2-1 defeat at home to Chinese Taipei was a hugely disappointing result for Singapore.
Hariss Harun opened the scoring early only to see Xavier Chen and Chen Chao-an secure a superb result for the visitors. Bahrain’s 2-1 win away at Turkmenistan now sees Singapore already two points off third after two games.
Bahrain, though, now top the group; a point ahead of Turkmenistan and Chinese Taipei. The East Asians travel to Riffa on Matchday Three while Singapore will look to bounce back when they host the Turkmen.
KURODA: EXPERIENCE OF SENIOR PLAYERS LIFTED CHINESE TAIPEI
Group F
Over 15,000 fans in Dushanbe bore witness to one of Matchday Two’s most enthralling ties as the Philippines eventually defeated Tajikistan 4-3 on a rollercoaster night at Pamir Stadium.
Three goals up at one point, the Southeast Asians saw their lead pegged back to a 3-2 scoreline before Daisuke Sato scored the winner, although there was still time for Manuchehr Dzhalilov to ensure a nail-biting finale.
A goalless stalemate in Katmandu had less drama but it now puts Yemen clear in second, three points ahead of opponents Nepal, and three behind leaders the Philippines. Tajikistan, despite their heroics this week, remain without a point.
FUZAYLOV REMAINS CALM DESPITE TAJIKISTAN SITTING BOTTOM OF GROUP F
Photo: Football Association of Singapore