RANGOON, MARCH 9
A 90th strike by C S Sabeeth helped India to hold Myanmar 1-1 in an away encounter of pre-Olympic qualifier at Youth Training Centre, Yangoon here on Wednesday afternoon.
India had a mixed day on the field. However, it ended on a high note as they successfully moved into the next phase of the Olympic qualifiers.
In the home tie, India edged past Myanmar 2-1 at Balewadi Sports Complex, Pune, while a draw today was enough for the Desmond Bulpin’s Boys to see them through to next phase.
India started with Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in the goal, while Raju Gaekwad, Abhishek Das, Vishal Kumar and Inderpeet Singh completed the back four. Subodh Kumar, Shaikh Jewel Raja, Shilton D’Silva and Lalrindika Ralte took the charge of the midfield with Malswamfela pairing up with Jeje Lalpekhlua upfront.
It was the home side which looked impressive in the first half and made numerous inroads in their opponent citadel, but the Indian defence stood up to their task curtailing them throughout the first 45 minutes.
India too had their share of the luck with Shilton D’Silva coming close twice to notch up the opener. The scoreline was blank at the break.
Myanmar took the lead in the 64th minute through Kyaw Ko Ko, but a minute later the striker received his second booking of the match leaving his side down to ten men.
The away goal might have worked in favour of the home side, but substitute Sabeeth, who replaced Inderpreet Singh in the 83rd minute scored the all-important equaliser in the nick of the time to spoil their party.
