India beat Macau to qualify for 2019 Asian Cup
‘Sleeping giant’ India woke up on Wednesday, securing their passage into the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates with a rousing 4-1 win against minnows Macau at the Sree Kanteerava stadium here on Wednesday.
A fourth straight win in Group A saw the ‘Blue Tigers’ cement a top-2 finish in the qualifying round along with a berth in the main draw of the second oldest continental football championship in the world. India last played in the tournament in 2011 when they qualified after winning the AFC Challenge Cup. This is India’s fourth qualification after 1964, 1984 and 2011.
With over 4,000 fans watching on a rainy day in the Garden City, the hosts made heavy weather of their world No. 182 opponents, who put forth a brave challenge by playing some compact formations.
The scenes after India qualified for the AFC Asian Cup 2019. #BackTheBlue #AsianDream pic.twitter.com/mWuhE5Upll
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 11, 2017