Internet Desk: India beat Laos 1-0 thanks to a second-half header by Jeje Lalpekhlua, giving them the crucial advantage of an away win in the first leg of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifier.
Seven minutes into the game, Jeje was almost through on goal with only the goalkeeper to beat, but to his dismay the flag was up for offside.Ten minutes later, the Mohun Bagan man was once again caught offside after Chettri had played him through on goal.
Laos had their first real pop at goal in the 27th minute when Phouttasay Khochaleren beat the entire Indian defence and got a shot away, only to see it soar wide.
Throughout the first half, India had the majority of the ball but they seemed to run out of ideas when in the final third, with their proclivity towards playing the long ball particularly disappointing.
The first, in the 42nd minute, saw strong hold-up play by Jeje in the box as he passed it sideways to Chhetri, but the skipper left it for the onrushing Lyngdoh, who lashed it wide.Then right on the stroke of half-time, Lyngdoh was set up by Narayan Das’ cross but his attempted half-volley went narrowly wide.
India started the second half brightly, with Jeje giving them the lead in the 54th minute, with a fine header off Udanta’s assist to continue his rich vein of form.
Ten minutes later, Moukda tried to drive down the heart of the Indian defense but was stopped by Arnab Mondal before he could get a shot out.Gaffer Stephen Constantine made an intriguing change in the 71st minute, hauling off the impressive goalscorer Jeje for the young Sumeet Passi.
That was the final score line at the end of regulation time with India producing an exhibition of missed chances. India host Laos at Guwahati for the return leg on 7th June.