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 the Chinese city of Hangzhou on Thursday afternoon.
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 against 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 neighboring 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 against 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 the celebrated booter Sunil 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. He stepped up and placed the spot kick in the bottom-left corner of the net amid huge enthusiasm of the small India fans at big bowl.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
