2021 AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers | India script win over Kyrgyzstan, but fail to qualify for main event

Goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh's heroics under the woodwork did wonders for India as the boys had their best-ever finish in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers to date. As their final qualifying match against the Kyrgyz Republic ended in a stalemate at the Fujairah Stadium on Saturday (October 31, 2021).

India coach Igor Stimac made only one change to the starting XI from the previous game, handing Amarjit Singh his first start in this campaign as he replaced Jeakson Singh in the middle of the park.

Two minutes later, Rahul, from the left flank, outran Kumarbai Uulu with sheer pace, but eventually Adilet Kanybekov neutralised his effort.

The central Asian outfit sprung into life three minutes later when forward Alygulov Maksat was denied by Narender inside the 18-yard-box, five minutes later, the youngster cancelled Tapaev Temirbolot's right-footed curler.

The forward played another pivotal role a minute later as he passed the ball to Amarjit, but the Manipuri midfielder skied his effort after four minutes.

Borubaev Gulzhigit beat the offside trap to outpace Asish Rai from the left, but Dheeraj came up with a spectacular save after the half-hour mark to keep the score unscathed. Both teams headed to the changing room with the scores unchanged at the lemon break.

India appealed for a penalty on the hour-mark anticipating a handball inside the Kyrgyz box but the Maldivian referee Mohamed Javiz paid no attention to it.

India latched on their best possible chance seven minutes later when Deepak Tangri put an acrobatic bicycle kick from handshaking distance, only to be thwarted by Kyrgyz goalkeeper Tokotaev Erzhan.

Ten minutes to the end of regulation time, substitute Rohit Danu could have opened the scoreline, but Narender's shot from an acute angle was fisted away by the goalkeeper leaving the Indian dugout aghast.

At the other end, Kyrgyz broke away on a counter-attack, exploiting a mistake by the defender. His backpass was anticipated by Sharshenbekov Arlen inside the box and he left it to an onrushing Abilov Ernaz, who snuck into the penalty box unmarked. Dheeraj, however, positioned himself perfectly to save it with his usual composure in the 85th minute.

With both teams tied on the same number of points, goal difference, and goals scored, the match went into a penalty shootout to decide who finishes second and third, respectively, in Group E.

Dheeraj made a couple of scintillating saves in the penalty shoot-out before Rahim Ali scored the winning spot-kick to elevate India to the second position in the group.