AFC Asian Cup 2019: India qualify for Asian Cup after defeating Macau
With the win, the Blue Tigers continued their unbeaten run in the qualification round and will play Myanmar AND Kyrgyzstan next year.
India has secured automatic qualification to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup as a result of their emphatic 4-1 win over Macau in the fourth round qualifier played at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium at Bengaluru.
Next stop UAE 2019 @afcasiancup .#BackTheBlue #AsianDream pic.twitter.com/iPjkusW0hK
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 11, 2017
The last time India reached the tournament through the direct qualification route was in 1984 but their most recent appearance was in the 2011 Asian Cup edition when they had qualified through the AFC Challenge Cup route.India competed in the tournament for the first time in 1964, when they finished runners-up. Then they crashed out in the group stage in 1984 and 2011.
The jubilant bunch of boys. #BackTheBlue #AsianDream pic.twitter.com/zlfNouksvH
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 11, 2017
Rowllin Borges, Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpheklua got on the score-sheet for India while a Macau own goal added insult to the visitors' injury as the 'Blue Tigers' romped home to their fourth win in as many qualifying matches.
With the win, the Blue Tigers continued their unbeaten run in the qualification round and will play Myanmar AND Kyrgyzstan next year.
India's starting XI against Macau: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK); Pritam Kotal, Anas Edathodika (77' - Salam Ranjan Singh), Sandesh Jhingan, Narayan Das; Jackichand Singh (45' - Balwant Singh), Rowllin Borges (65' - Md. Rafique), Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Halicharan Narzary, Sunil Chhetri (C), Jeje Lalpekhlua