India and Singapore finished their AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier Group C match with a 1‑1 draw at the National Stadium in Kallang. The win‑draw combination keeps India in third place with two points, while Singapore sits on top of the group with five.
The match was a swift back‑and‑forth affair. Singapore’s young striker Ikhsan Fandi sparked the early action, pulling a through ball through the Indian defence on the 19th minute. He edged past captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu only to be stopped by a strong tackle from Indian defender Sandesh Jhingan. Minutes later Jhingan received a yellow card for the challenge, forcing India to switch from a 4‑4‑1‑1 set‑up to a more offensive 4‑2‑2‑2 formation.
Singapore pressed early, and their persistence paid off just before halftime. A quick team move found Hariss Harun in touch, and he passed to Shawal Anuarin. Anuarin drove a diagonal to Fandi, who threaded the ball past Gurpreet for Singapore’s first goal.
India felt the pressure again early in the second half. Jhingan’s tackling attempt on Fandi earned a second yellow card after he faintly touched the ball, sending him off and leaving India with ten men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Indians refused to surrender. Head coach Khalid Jamil changed the lineup, bringing in Abdul Samad and Deepak Tangri for back‑up.
With the score still 1‑0, India pushed forward in a bid to equalise. In the 72nd minute, fifth‑minute (?), Gurpreet saved a double attempt that could have sealed the win for Singapore, keeping India alive. The game shifted to a tense final period.
In the 90th minute, fate swung back to India. Rahim Ali, pressed deep in the box, took advantage of a slip by Singapore goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud and calmly slipped the ball into the empty net. The equaliser secured a point for India, keeping their hopes of reaching the Asian Cup alive.
Both teams now need to snatch wins from their remaining fixtures. Singapore must win all three games left to be guaranteed a spot, while India needs victories plus other teams dropping points. The draw keeps Singapore top of Group C and forces India to finish level on points.
The match showcased the energy of Asian football—late goals, tactical shifts, and a dramatic finish that reminded fans that the road to the Asian Cup is still full of surprises.
Source: aninews
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