AFC Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers: India 2-0 Macau

A point to note - the quality of the crosses from out fullbacks - Narayan Das and Pritam Kotal. Das goes away with an assist but on another day, Kotal could have come away with three.

The substitution did all the trick. Balwant Singh coming off the bench to replace Eugeneson Lyngdoh made all the difference as he comes away with both the goals - helping India to all three points and a step closer to realising their Asian dream.

PEEP! PEEP! PEEP!

That's it, the Indian Tigers have done it. The unbeaten run stretches to 11 games. Their third consecutive win in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.

A step closer to realising the Asian Dream.

90+3' - GOAAAL!??

No. India nearly had their third goal but not before the off side flag is raised.

90+2' - A long ball over the top and that man Balwant Singh is running his heart out. Gets to the ball and looks to get Chhetri in.

But it hasn't been the best of games for the skipper. He looks to roll his man but gets the ball intercepted!

90+1' - A run down the right and the hosts just produced a rare cross into the box. Low one and easily dealt with by Sandesh Jhingan.

Three minutes added on.

90' - Jacki with the throw into Balwant. Goes back to the winger who goes past his man and finds Sunil Chhetri. But he can't get the shot away.

89' - Some cramps for Pritam Kotal. He has run himself into the ground.

88' - Macau with some possession. But they really pack no punch in the final third. This has been too easy for India. But they won't mind.

87' - Germanpreet Singh comes in for Jeje Lalpekhlua - India's last substitution for the game.

86' - Narzary with the run and the Macau defence parted like the Red Sea. Puts in a cross but that is overhit.

This is amazing from Balwant. He was quality for Mohun Bagan last season - forcing Jeje Lalpekhlua out of the team. And since coming back to the national team, he has been stellar.

83' - GOAAAALLL!!

Balwant Singh again. Gurpreet sees Balwant with a great run and the keeper with a huge punt. The defender made a mistake and the forward was there to tuck it over the keeper who had advanced looking to deal with the danger.

82' - A corner for the home team. Kong Hao with the corner and that is straight to Gurpreet.

81' - Macau looking for a spark but not as long as Sandesh Jhingan. The Kerala Blasters man slides in to put that away.

80' - India with their second sub.

Jackichand Singh comes on for Udanta Singh.

79' - SHOT from DISTANCE!

Narzary with the effort from long range but that is not going to worry anyone.

Play stopped at the moment as a Macanese player is down at the moment.

76' - Finally some intent from the hosts as their own substitute looks to go through the backline but Anas is there to thwart that.

75' - MISTIMED!

India with all the freedom to play the ball wherever they want. Errant pass from Pritam this time but Udanta recovers that and puts in the ball from the right. Deflected and by the time it reaches Balwant, he is already on the way down.

74' - India have been playing the ball around with no real intent from the hosts.

Pritam into Jeje but he can't get that ball in control.

72' - India on the charge again. Balwant finds Jeje but a timely tackle means India have another corner.

Ball deep into the box and Balwant again with the header. This time he finds the side netting.

71' - India get the ball again and Das with another ball into the box. Not the same quality and that comes to Udanta on the right. Takes a touch and then hits it well.

INCHES WIDE!

70' - Rowllin with the corner. Chhetri with the flick on but that is headed cleared but not really far. Drops to Udanta who looked to find Sunil again instead of taking a shot.

69' - Action underway and India straight back on the attack as the Blues get a corner.

Play stopped at the moment as one the Macau player is down at the moment.

67' - Udanta working on the right and he was hacked down. But India again gets no FK there. Surprising to say the least.

65' - Jeje nearly sneaked in. But the Macau defence with a timely touch and India get another corner.

Played short and comes out to Rowllin who looked for a cross but that is just a tad overcooked.

64' - Ball into the middle from the corner finds Jhingan in the middle. But the Macau defence deal with it finally.

63' - PRITAAAM!

The right back this time allowed space to move forward and he unleashes on from 35 yards out. On target and the keeper had to palm it over.

62' - India still in control. An errant pass from Udanta nearly has India relinquishing possession. But they get it back.

61' - NEARLY!

Another great ball from Pritam and Balwant should have made that 2-0. Great ball and Balwant with the timely run but he can't hit the target under pressure. But should have done better.

60' - India comfortable in possession as they look to calm things down.

59' - India with a throw in from the left. Comes in and Balwant Singh lays it off for Jeje. He has a crack from the edge of the box but that is blocked away.

58' - India are not letting the pedal off the metal. Right on the from foot and India looking for a second.

57' - GOAAAAALLL!!

And Balwant Singh it is, the man who came in at half time who delivers for IND. The Blues played the ball around. The ball finally comes to the left where Narayan Das delivers a great ball and the Mumbai City man no mistake from about seven yards out.

56' - Kotal plays it forward and then Jeje tries a fancy dummy but no one beyond him though.

54' - FK to IND in a dangerous position.

Chhetri with the effort but that is not on target.

53' - India down the left. Narayan Das to Halicharan who delivers but his ball is too deep and gets away.

52' - Macau on the attack. But the Indian defence stands firm and get the ball away.

51' - Narayan Das with the ball in from the left. But his cross is not as good from the left.

50' - OFF THE BAR!

Sunil Chhetri this time gets at the end of another great ball from Pritam from the right. The header is at the keeper who palms it straight on to the crossbar.

49' - WIDE!

Just wide from Balwant Singh. Great cross on the right and the new man on the scene heads it just wide of the target.

Eugeneson Lyngdoh is the one to make way.

A big change in the second half and Balwant Singh has come into the thick of things.

It's been a laboured half of football from India against this not-so-adventurous Macau side. The Blue Tigers have created most of the first half openings but a goal remains elusive. Can Chhetri and co put this game to bed in the second half? Or will Constantine introduce Robin and Balwant in the second half? The 2nd period starts in a while.

Half-time: India 0-0 Macau

45+1' Chhetri is on the end of a long punt from Gurpreet but the captain is flagged for handling the ball. Had the referee not intervened, Udanta would've been away after Chhetri set up him nicely. Sigh!

45+1' 1 minute of stoppage time added.

AFC Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers: India 2-0 Macau - As it happened

India 2-0 Macau, Full-time