A late penalty goal by Sunil Chhetri keep India in the 19th Asian Games Men's Football race eliminating Bangladesh by 1-0 goal in a Group A match at the Xiaoshan Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, China on Thursday afternoon, reports UNB.
With the day's shocking and 2nd successive defeat, Bangladesh were almost out of the race from the four-team Group A following their narrow 0-1 goal defeat to Myanmar in the first match.
Bangladesh will play top ranking and hosts China ((FIFA ranking 80th) on September 24 in remaining group match, but the result of which will make a very little impact on Bangladesh fate. Two neighbouring rivals --India and Bangladesh took the field on Thursday in a do or die situation to stay in the race as they lost their opening matches.
The day's match was very crucial for India as they suffered 1-5 goals defeat to hosts China in their first group match.
When the day's keenly contested match between two sub-continental rivals were almost heading for a draw, then Chhetri came to rescue team India scoring the match-winner in the 85th minute from a penalty (1-0).
India team awarded the penalty in crucial moment of the match when Bangladesh captain cum defender Rahmat Mia fouled opponent left winger Bryce Miranda in the danger zone.
Most experienced Indian booter Sunil Chhetri did no mistake to convert a penalty.
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