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India annihilate Laos in AFC Asian Cup Play-off

By Sports reporter

GUWAHATI, June 7 - A spirited Indian team came from behind to snatch a 6-1 victory against Laos at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Sarusajai here today to ensure their progress into the next qualifying round of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

Having already won 1-0 in their away leg at Vientiane, the home side was ruthless after having conceded an early goal.

It didn�t take much long for the visitors to take the lead as Khonesavanh Sihavong found the back of the net with ease in the 16th minute. Sitthideth Khantavong making his way through the left flank opted for a pass to skipper Khampheng Sayavutthi whose flick found Sihavong who ensured that his side secures the all important 1-1 aggregate.

India desperately in search of an equaliser appealed for a penalty but was turned down in the 21st minute by referee Jansen Foo. Sunil Chhetri was tackled to the ground by Thenthong Phonsettha just inside the box.

Khampeng Sayavutthi decided to have a go on the target from around 25 yards but could only manage to the find safe hands of Indian custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in the 27th minute.

India finally drew parity in the 43rd minute with Jeje Lalpekhlua making absolutely no mistake in slotting it into the bottom corner of the net. Having found the ball off a Jackichand Singh�s cross, Jeje did what he is known for doing the best.

Riding high on confidence after the equaliser, it was Sumeet Passi who put his side up in front for the first time in the match with a goal in the additional minutes of the first half. Jackichand Singh changing his position before providing a cross in across the face of goal was well utilised by Passi who was left unmarked.

Coming into the second half, India dominated the proceedings right from the start.

To make things even worse for the visitors it was defender Sandesh Jhingan who ensured the third goal in the 48th minute.

Jeje made no mistake in securing his brace by finding the right corner of the net with a grounded shot in the 74th minute.

It was Mohammed Rafique who went on to score on debut through a deflection after Sunil Chhetri lobbed one over the marker in the 83rd minute.

Fulganco Cardozo taking full advantage of the opportunity after receiving a cross from Jackichand Singh, scored the sixth goal with a fine header in the 87th minute.

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