AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers: Dheeraj's shootout heroics secure second Group spot for India

DUBAI: Goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh's heroics under the bar did wonders for India as Igor Stimac's team had their best-ever finish in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers to date, after they held Kyrgyz Republic to a goalless draw in their final qualifying game at the Fujairah Stadium late on Saturday night.

Earlier, UAE beat Oman 2-0 to end as the toppers of Group E in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers.

As the match between India and Kyrgyz Republic ended in a stalemate, both sides finished the group on four points apiece, with the same goal difference (zero), and equal number of goals scored in all the matches (2). To decide who takes the second and third spots, respectively, in Group E, a penalty shootout was held, which India won 4-2.

In the penalty shootout, Dheeraj started with a couple of spectacular saves while Rahul KP, Rohit Danu, Suresh Singh, and Rahim Ali scored from the spot.

Stimac made only one change to the starting XI from the previous game against the UAE, handing Amarjit Singh his first start in this campaign as he replaced Jeakson Singh in the middle. Lalengmawia Ralte tried to fire the opening salvo as early as the fifth minute but his long-ranger could not pose any threat to the Kyrgyz defence. IANS

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