India 1-0 Kyrgyzstan, AFC Asian Cup 2019 Qualifier, As It Happened

That's all from us here. From starting on the backfoot to soaking pressure all throughout the game to sealing the win with a Chhetri special, the Blue Tigers had to work hard for today's 1-0 win. They next play an international match in August when the mooted inter-continental Champions Cup starts. Until next time, goodbye!

Full-time: India 1-0 Kyrgyz Republic (Chhetri 69')

What a win for India. It's full time here at the Kanteerava as India beat the Kyrgyz Republic 1-0. A big win in the AFC Asian Cup scheme of things for the Blue Tigers. This is also India's 8th straight win in international matches.

90+4' Another miss by India!

Chhetri this time with the miss after carving out a fine opening.

90+3' India are trying to kill the game off here but tempers are flaring here as Chhetri voices his grievances to the referee.

90+2' What a miss by Robin!

Chhetri with another masterful bit of play that releases Robin one-on-one with Pavel but the East Bengal striker blazes his effort over.

90' We are almost at the end of regulation time. 4 minutes added on.

89' Goalscorer Chhetri is named the Man of the Match.

87' It's nervy and tense here at the moment. Can India hang on to their slender lead with all the pressure?

85' It's all Kyrgyz Republic now, but Narzary and Jairu are tracking back well to deny any space to the Kyrgyz Republic. It's been a frustrating evening for the visitors so far, but there is still a few more minutes left.

81' Another opening for the visitors which stemmed from Gurpreet coming out to deal with a one-on-one. The Indian 'keeper makes a fine save to deny Bernhardt and the follow-up effort is headed just wide of goal. India survive another scare.

80' Robin will be expected to hold the long, forward balls better now. India need to kill time in the final 10 minutes as the Kyrgyz Republic will certainly go gung-ho in attack. However, their best player Viktor Maier is taken off.

79' Third and final change for India as Robin Singh replaces the assist-provider Jeje.

77' India will look to hold on to their lead in the remaining minutes of the game and attack on the break. That's been the plan all along but Chhetri's goal has at least given the Blue Tigers something to cling on to now.

75' Rafique goes in full throttle with an ill-timed tackle on Farkhat, leading to a Kyrgyz freekick from a dangerous position. The effort is straight at Gurpreet.

74' Jacki is replaced by Bikash Jairu as India opt for fresh legs for the last quarter of the game.

72' Iliaz brings Jeje down as the Indian striker tries to turn his marker. The defender is booked for his transgressions.

71' What a finish to what a move from Chhetri. That's why he is the main man for the Blue Tigers!

69' What a counter attack from India as Chhetri was at the heart of it all.

The Indian skipper skipped past three players on his own before slipping the ball wide to Jeje, who returned the favour by clipping the ball into the onrushing Chhetri's path and the captain put his first-time finish right on target.

69' GOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL FOR INDIA!

65' First change for India as Rowllin is replaced by Rafique.

63' Another curling effort from Akhlidin but it is straight at Gurpreet. The visitors are cranking up the pressure here as India face attack after another Kyrgyz attack.

61' Chance for the Kyrgyz Republic!

Anas and Jhingan throw their bodies to block Akhlidin and Mirlan's shots. India somehow survive the visitors' onslaught here.

59' Chhetri and Eugene with two glorious opportunities for India but nothing at the end of them in terms of goals. The game has taken all of us to the edge of our seats. This game surely cannot end 0-0.

56' Things are getting exciting at the moment as both teams' intent to attack has made it an end to end affair.

55' What an escape for India!

Akhlidin's shot from a central position hits the post as the Blue Tigers survive. It was a brilliant counterattack from the visitors.

54' Corner count: India 2-4 Kyrgyz

52' Midfielder Baktyiar takes a pot shot from range but his effort sails over. The away team have shown real positive intent in the early parts of the 2nd half.

50' Once again, like in the 1st half, India are put on the backfoot by a Kyrgyz onslaught. The Blue Tigers have barely seen the ball in this half, that Jeje chance aside. Another opening for the Kyrgyz Republic, but Mirlan's curling effort is wide.

49' Chance for the Kyrgyz Republic!

Akhlidin finds the ball at his feet after multiple ricochets but his left-footed shot sails over Gurpreet's goal.

47' Eugene with a clumsy challenge near the edge of his own box, leading to a freekick for the visitors in a dangerous position right on the edge of the box. The effort, however, from Akhlidin hits the wall.

46' Chance for India!

Jeje with an opening but his shot with the weaker right foot is straight at Pavel. Early chance for the Blue Tigers.

46' And we have kicked off in the 2nd half with the Kyrgyz Republic.

In case you missed it, the Kyrgyz Republic have already made their first change with Zemlianukhin Anton going off early to be replaced by Edgar Bernhardt. Anton clashed with Gurpreet in the game's initial stages which almost led to the Indian stopper getting sent off but the Stabaek custodian stayed on as the Kyrgyz striker was stretchered away.

It was a poor start to the first half from the reactive Indians, but Chhetri and Jacki gradually got on the ball more, thereby allowing the Tigers to create meaningful openings. Jeje, Narzary and Jacki have all missed difficult opportunities to score, but India have room for improvement in the second half with the score 0-0.

Half-time: India 0-0 Kyrgyzstan

45+3' What a save from Gurpreet to end the first half. The Kyrgyz Republic looked almost certain to score there but for the 6'4'' shotstopper.

45+3' Into the final minute of stoppage time as Chhetri nearly produces a moment of magic with an almost inch-perfect cross which just eludes the incoming Jacki.

45+1' 3 minutes of time added on here as the Kyrgyz Republic try to stretch the pitch as wide as possible by positioning their wingers very wide on each flank. India, though, have allowed little joy in central positions to their opponents.

According to the team sheet today, the visitors have eight forwards and two defenders playing.

45' Shot from Vitalij is straight at Gurpreet, who holds on to the ball well. After his initial moment of madness, the Stabaek 'keeper has been solid.

43' India's defensive resolve to keep the Kyrgyz Republic away from their goal is commendable. India have a chance if they can string a few passes together in attack.

41' Some neat work by Narzary there in a defensive shift. The winger is nearly bypassed but he gets back well to recover the ball for his team.

39' Jeje is flagged for offside here after India do well to retain possession. It's India second offside of the game.

37' India have come back brilliantly into the game, creating some of the best chances of the game in the last 20 minutes but without anything in the way of end product.

36' Chance for India!

A quick throw-in from Chhetri release Jeje inside the Kyrgyz box but the striker's shot from an acute angle is saved well by Pavel, who dived to his left to deny India.

31' What a miss from Jeje as the Mizo striker's first touch takes the ball away from him. It was a brilliant opportunity on the counter with Chhetri and Jeje in a two-vs-two situation. Sadly, Chhetri's pass was behind Jeje and the away team had men back by the time Jeje could turn for his second touch.

Jackichand has been fantastic on the ball. Lots of energy and flickers of his skill every now and then.

28' The Blue Tigers are now creating some good openings as Kyrgyz Republic have gone into a defensive shell.

26' Chance for India!

Jacki's searching ball nearly finds Chhetri inside the Kyrgyz box but Narzary at pace behind the captain makes the connection to get a fierce shot away from an acute angle. His shot is straight at Pavel though.