India escaped defeat against Singapore in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers with a dramatic late goal from Rahim Ali.
The striker chased a loose ball and capitalized on a defensive error to score in the dying minutes, securing a 1-1 draw.
Singapore dominated possession and created multiple chances. India struggled with an under-strength squad, missing key midfielders due to club-versus-country conflicts. Coach Khalid Jamil fielded debutants and inexperienced players, which left the team vulnerable.
Ikhsan Fandi opened the scoring for Singapore just before halftime. India’s defense failed to track Shawal Anuar’s run, allowing a simple finish. The situation worsened when Sandesh Jhingan received a red card early in the second half, leaving India with ten men.
Despite the disadvantage, India held firm. Anwar Ali delivered crucial interceptions while Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made key saves. Singapore failed to convert their numerical advantage into goals.
Rahim Ali, not originally part of the squad, seized his opportunity. Jordan Emaviwe’s under-hit back pass created the opening. Rahim’s persistence paid off when the ball deflected off him and landed perfectly for a tap-in.
This goal marked India’s first from open play in over 760 minutes. It also kept their qualification hopes alive, placing them third in Group C with two points.
Khalid Jamil faces pressure to improve attacking cohesion before the return leg in Goa. The team must overcome injuries, suspensions, and tactical gaps to stay in contention.
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