Set-back for India’s qualifying hopes for AFC Challenge Cup

Yangon, March 6 (IANS) A 75th minute strike by substitute Soe Min Oo sank India as Myanmar won 1-0 and booked a ticket for the prestigious AFC Challenge Cup 2014 finals after edging out India at the Yangon Youth Training Centre here Wednesday.

Myanmar will be joined by other four group toppers and two best runners-up alongside with hosts Maldives in the 2014 tournament proper.

India, champions in 2008, still have a chance to qualify for the final round if they manage to finish among the two best runners-up after the last qualifying tournament ends March 26.

The AFC Challenge Cup 2008 winners India will have to wait for other groups to be completed to know their fate. All the group matches will be finished by March 26.

Playing in front of a rousing home support, Myanmar finally broke the deadlock in the 75th minute when Soe found the back of the net after coming as a substitute in the 50th minute for midfielder Pai Soe.

Myanmar suffered a shock 1-1 draw against Chinese Taipei in the second match after beginning promisingly with 5-0 win over Guam.

Having won their two matches in the trot, India could have sealed an automatic berth for the finals even with a draw but Soe’s strike left them wait for other groups to finish.

IANS 2013-03-06 20:34:01