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| AFC Challenge Cup |
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| India through to final |
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| Action from the India-Myanmar semi-final in the AFC Challenge Cup in Hyderabad. |
HYDERABAD – Sunil Chhetri netted a late winner as hosts India claimed a 1-0 semi-final victory over Myanmar on Thursday to progress to the final of the AFC Challenge Cup.
Persistent rain affected the contest throughout the second half, which India dominated before Chhetri’s goal after 81 minutes.
Chhetri, who had missed several opportunities, headed in a cross from captain Baichung Bhutia as India triumphed at the Gachibowlin Stadium.
The match endured a tentative opening but India had the best of the chances of the first half.
Bhutia shot straight to Myanmar goalkeeper Aung Aung Oo as early as in the second minute.
At the other end, Soe Myat Min took possession of a cross from Aung Kyaw Moe and dribbled past defender Samir Naik before firing a curling shot which was palmed away by goalkeeper Subrata Pal.
India piled on the pressure towards the end of the first half, just as the heavens opened.
NP Pradeep climbed well to head a cross from Renedy Singh, but his effort went just wide of the left upright.
After 39 minutes, Chhetri headed a free-kick from Naik goalwards and tumbled to the ground after colliding with goalkeeper Aung Oo but Khin Maung Lwin made a fine clearance from the goal line.
And Chhetri had the best opportunity when he had only Aung Oo to beat five minutes from the interval.
However, with time and space, Chhetri contrived to shoot wide.
A downpour towards the end of the first period subsided to a steady drizzle throughout the second, turning the pitch into a quagmire.
The conditions rendered skill useless, but India dominated the first 10 minutes of the second session.
Skipper Bhutia was twice denied by Aung Oo, his second effort extending the goalkeeper.
Myanmar came close when Yan Paing saw a full-blooded shot from close range rebound off defender Anwar Ali, while Tun Tun Win shot over after being set up by Lwin.
Another shot from Kyaw Moe went straight to Subrata's hands as both sides squandered the opportunities that came their way.
Si Thu Win had seconds earlier watched as a header came back off the underside of the crossbar as Marcos Falopa's side did everything but score.
But Chhetri, who had missed several opportunities, got it right nine minutes from time when he cushioned Bhutia’s cross with his head before directing another header into the back of the net.
The goal was heartbreak for Myanmar who had held their own in difficult circumstances.
India will take on the winners of the second semi-final between Tajikistan and DPR Korea in the final.
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