Dhaka, Dec 5:
Substitute forward Je Je Lalpekhula’s 86th minute strike provided India a 1-0 victory over Afghanistan in the second match of group B of the Bangabandhu SAFF Championship at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Saturday.
India survived a number of scares as Afghanistan dominated the scene with their attacking approach but India kept their cool to start their campaign with a winning note.
Balwant Singh had the chance to put India up in the 11th minute but his attempted side volley from the right flank of the six yard box crashed into the outside net.
Afghanistan skipper Israfeel Kohistani came close to a strike in the 28th minute but his diving header went straight to the lap of Indian custodian Arindam Bhattacharya.
Afghanistan piled up all the pressure after the lemon break and in the 57th minute Ahmad Khesraw capitalizing a misunderstanding of the Indian defence shot miles above the crosspiece with Arindam standing helpless under the bar.
Three minutes later Sayed Bashir Azmi whipped a neat minus for Hasmatullah Barkezai who unleashed a fierce drive from the top of the box but saw the six plus tall Arindam stretch to his limit to pull out a stunning save.
Four minutes from the stoppage time Je Je Lalpekhula broke the deadlock that turned as the winner. After a combined attack Je Je found enough space to slot the ball past Afghan custodian Hamidullah in the far post from the six yard box.