AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers | Jeje’s header takes India to win against Laos
A 54th minute header from striker Jeje Lalpekhlua helped India secure a 0-1 win against Laos in the first leg of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifier at Vientiane on Thursday. India will now welcome Laos for the second leg of the encounter at Guwahati on June 7.
Starting Lineups:
Laos: Keodouangdeth (GK), Maitee, Phimmasane, Phachanhtha, Phonsettha, Khochalern, Souksavath, Kounvongsa, Souliyavong, Phomsouvanh, Sayavuthi
India: Gurpreet (GK), Narayan, Arnab, Sandesh, Rino, Eugene, Rafique, Holicharan, Sunil, Jeje, Udanta
After a disastrous 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign, which saw them finishing at the bottom of their group with just one win from eight games, India travelled to Vientiane, the capital of Laos, for the first leg of 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifier in a bid to enter the group stages of the qualification round. India went into the match as the favourites with them sitting 11 places above Laos at 163 in the latest FIFA rankings. But, a flurry of injuries to important players saw Stephen Constantine lining up a depleted squad at the New Laos National Stadium.
Stabæk FC goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who recently became the first Indian to play in a top division European football game, started in goal with Arnab Mondal and Sandesh Jhingan starting at the centre of the defence. Sunil Chhetri, Jeje, Udanta Singh, and Holicharan Narzary all started up front in what looked like an attacking formation for the team.
As expected, India dominated the proceedings against the home team with Udanta Singh and Sunil Chhetri causing all sorts of problems for the Laos defence through the flanks. Most of India’s attacks came through the left flank with Narayan Das bombing forward in every given opportunity to whip in the cross. With Holicharan Narzary in attack, India reverted to playing long balls after their initial wing play, and it played into the hands of the Laos defenders, who kept the tall striker under control.
The away side had a golden chance to go into the break with a goal on the board after Jeje cut back a ball into the box. Skipper Chhetri left it for onrushing Eugeneson Lyngdoh for an easy opportunity, but the midfielder smashed the ball wide off the target to leave both teams deadlocked at the break.
After an average first forty-five minutes, India had the perfect start to the second-half with Jeje’s header giving them the lead in the 54th minute. Manipuri youngster Udanta Singh whipped in a cross, and the Mohun Bagan striker headed it right past the goalkeeper to continue his splendid goal- scoring form. With India a goal up, Laos came out of their defensive positions in search of the equaliser and left acres of space for the Indian forwards to run into.
Although India had chances to double their lead, they opted to sit back and defend as the clock ticked on. With Laos providing no attacking impetus, India comfortably saw off the last ten minutes of the match to win the match 1-0 and to take a one-goal advantage back home. The second leg of the tie will take place at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati on June 7.
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