India were fortuitous enough to see the Afghanistan goal-keeper allow them reprieve in the India vs Afghanistan football match
When India and defeated Bangladesh 2-0 last week, it looked like things were finally on the uptick for the country. After being dumped and bundled out of the FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifiers, the side now turned its attention to moving closer to the Asian Cup.
Taking on Afghanistan on Tuesday, India made a foray into the showdown knowing a win would take them to the third round of the Asia Cup qualifiers. However, the side made for a dreary and laggard unit once again, showing why Indians find it so tough to turn up and watch their fixtures.
Up against a way lowly ranked Afghanistan side, India were touted by many to make it two wins on the bounce. However, Igor Stimac’s languid style of play paired with India’s underwhelming players saw India being held to a 1-1 draw.
Ovays Azizi Gifts India Opening Goal
And the side needed a massive chunk of luck to help it salvage a draw on the day. The side was left thanking Afghanistan’s goal-keeper Ovays Azizi who ended up gifting India a point on the day.
Azizi ended up committing a howler of an error as he lunged onto a ball drifted in from the left side by India. Jumping to grab hold of the ball, Azizi hilariously ended up making a meal of his effort as he spilled the ball which went onto go between his legs and into the goal.
75' GOAL ⚽️
India lead after the Afghan goalkeeper spills Ashique Kuruniyan's cross into his own 🥅#INDAFG #WCQ #BackTheBlue #BlueTigers #IndianFootball #AsianQualifiers #BackTheBlue #Afghanistan #FIFA21 pic.twitter.com/453uvXhh7w
— ɴɪꜱᴀʀ ᴀʜᴇᴍᴀᴅ (sᴛᴀʏ sᴀғᴇ & sᴛᴀʏ ʜᴇᴀʟᴛʜʏ) (@nisar_ahemad45) June 15, 2021
India vs Afghanistan Football Match
However, the Afghanistan side was unfazed by the erring goal-keeper as the team upped the ante. And it was finally rewarded for its efforts with Hossein Zamani levelling things for the side in the 82nd with Afghanistan the way better team since going down.
While the draw ensured India finished third in the group and with it made their berth into the third round of the Asia Cup qualifiers, the side still has a long way to go before it can be considered as a serious unit. Grovelling for supporters to turn up vanishes up in the smoke when you can’t justify your angst with viable performances.
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