The Indian football team began its AFC Challenge Cup qualifier campaign in style, beating Chinese Taipei 2-1 in their first match.
Jewel Raja Shaikh gave India the lead in the 40th minute while substitute Robin Singh headed in the winner in the 91st minute after Lee Tai Lin had equalised for Chinese Taipei in the 54th minute.
Taipei defended deep and depended on counters and much against the run of play almost took the lead in the 11th minute but an alert Subrata Paul was acrobatic enough to tap over a Chen Yi Wei freekick from outside the box.
After a series of raids in the opposition half, it came as no surprise as Jewel trapped Sunil Chhetri’s through ball with great poise and sent it past goalkeeper Lun Kun Chi.
Chinese Taipei equalised in the 54th minute with Lee Tai Lin heading in Su De Cai’s corner. u00a0India then took the game past Taipei in the first minute of extra time when Robin leaped high to head India to a 2-1 win. India next play Guam on March 4.
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