India crash out of Asian Cup qualifiers after loss at home against Singapore

Margao: India are the highest-ranked side in the group yet remain without a win after four games, two of them at home, in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 final round qualifiers. Now, they are out of the race too.

India’s hopes came crashing down after a 1-2 defeat against Singapore at Nehru Stadium, here, on Tuesday.

A minute before kick off, India received encouraging news that bottom-placed Bangladesh held group toppers Hong Kong to a draw. A first win for the hosts could keep them in contention and close the gap at the top to three points. It seemed going according to plan when Lallianzuala Chhangte gave the lead in the 14th minute with a fantastic long-range strike.

The home side were dominant until winger Song Uiyoung handed them a reality check before half time and left India red faced just before the hour mark after he scored his brace.

The defeat left India at the bottom of group C with just two points after four games. Hong Kong continued to lead with eight points, along with Singapore in second place.

“I feel we lost because of lack of concentration,” coach Khalid Jamil said after the game. “After scoring an early goal, we should have added another one to be safe. The boys worked hard, can’t blame anyone. In football, sometimes results go your way, sometimes it doesn’t.”

Sandesh Jhingan was ruled out for this fixture after being sent off in Singapore last week. Jamil made four changes to the starting lineup with defender Subhasish Bose, Lalengmawia Ralte (Apuia), Valpuia and Mahesh Singh all making it to the 11.

It was, as promised, an attacking lineup, and India attacked right from the start with high intensity. They had a couple of freekicks and a corner in the first quarter that unsettled Singapore.

The visitors certainly felt the pressure when defender Safuwan Baharudin gave away the ball cheaply after receiving a pass from his keeper Izwan Mahbud. Chhangte got hold of it and, left unmarked, unleashed a powerful right-footer that found the top corner of the net.

India’s intensity dropped a bit after going ahead, but not their intent and dominance.

There was another opportunity just before the half an hour mark for India when Chhagnte whipped in a cross from the right. Sunil Chhetri couldn’t connect, but Liston Colaco was tracking the ball well. The winger shot instantly but his grounder was cleared on the goalline by Safuwan.

Singapore were slowly getting into the game although India custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was hardly tested.

At the other end, India created another promising move when Liston found Chhetri, who set up Mahesh, but the forward’s attempt went straight into the waiting hands of the keeper.

It eventually proved costly as the visitors equalised before the break.

Rahul Bheke had done just enough to clear an aerial threat but the ball fell straight to Glenn Kweh, who found Song in an ideal position to finish calmly from inside the box.

Any hopes of a fight in the second half ended when Singapore took the lead in the 58th minute. It was once again Song who did the damage as he blasted his way after being left unmarked inside the danger zone.

“At home we always have to attack but I like defending more,” said Jamil. “In the end, what matters for me is the result.”

Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here