2024-03-26 23:09:32
Guwahati: Bottom-ranked Afghanistan defeated India 2-1 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Guwahati on Tuesday, handing the home team their most embarrassing defeat in recent years. India’s charismatic striker Sunil Chhetri scored his 94th international goal in his 150th match but despite this the home team lost. He scored a penalty in the 37th minute.
This is how Afghanistan made a comeback
Afghanistan equalized through Rahmat Akbari’s goal in the 71st minute in India’s home match in the second leg of the joint qualifiers for the World Cup and 2027 AFC Asian Cup. Then the home team suffered a blow when Gurpreet Singh was shown a yellow card. After this, on the penalty, Sharif Mukhammad gave his team victory in the 88th minute by giving them a 2-1 lead with only two minutes left in the scheduled time. India and Afghanistan played a goalless draw in the first leg in Abha, Saudi Arabia on March 22.
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Sunil Chhetri got special honor
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) honored star footballer Sunil Chhetri for playing his 150th international match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Afghanistan. Chhetri made the occasion memorable by scoring a penalty in the 37th minute, which was his 94th international goal. With this, he remains at third place in the list of active players who have scored goals. Chhetri also has a unique record in his name. The 39-year-old player has scored at least one goal for India in his first, 25th, 50th, 75th, 100th, 125th and on Tuesday, his 150th match.
All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Choubey, Assam Football Association secretary Sangrang Brahma, AIFF technical committee chairman IM Vijayan were among the dignitaries who paid tribute to Indian captain Chhetri before the start of the match at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium. Presented signs.