Asian Cup Qualifiers: Suicide goal saves India from defeat, advance to next round

The Group E match of the Asian Cup 2023 and 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers played between India and Afghanistan ended in a 1-1 draw. India had earlier suffered a loss against Qatar while they beat Bangladesh 2-0 in the previous match and now played a 1-1 draw with Afghanistan.

India did not score a single goal in this match but despite this, they managed to go to the next round. The goal added to India’s account was actually scored by Afghanistan’s goalkeeper Owais Ajizi.

With the help of this suicide goal, India took the lead and tried to maintain it but Hussain Zamani scored for Afghanistan in the 82nd minute to level the score.
By the stipulated time both the teams could not take the lead and the match ended in a 1-1- draw.

India have reached the third and final round of qualifiers after this draw. Afghanistan has also cut the onward ticket.

India finished third in Group E with seven points from eight matches. They won only one match, lost three and drew four games. India scored six goals and conceded seven goals.
Afghanistan finished fourth with six points from eight matches, winning one and losing four. Three games were drawn.

Qatar, the lone undefeated team in the pool, topped the group with 22 points from eight matches with seven wins and one draw. Oman finished second with 15 points from five wins from seven matches. He has to play one more match.