Football

India draw with Tajikistan

Thanks to an own goal induced from Tajikistan by Indian captain Baichung Bhutia, the hosts salvaged a 1-1 draw against the defending champions in their second Group A match of the AFC Challenge Cup football tournament here on Friday.

Barely a minute after entering the field as second half substitute for off-colour Sushil Kumar Singh, Baichung was instrumental for the equaliser in the 61st minute after Yousuf Rabiev had put Tajikistan ahead in the 11th minute at the Gachibowli Stadium here.

With four points from two matches, India will have to win their final group match against Turkmenistan on Sunday for a semi-final berth in the eight-nation tournament, the winner of which will qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup.

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Tags: 2011 Asian Cup, AFC, Baichung Bhutia, challenge cup, gachibowli stadium, hyderabad, India, sushil kumar singh, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, yousuf rabiev