India finally tasted victory after five straight losses in their 2018 football World Cup qualifying campaign as they beat Guam by a solitary goal in Bangalore on Thursday.
The victory came despite India playing the second half with 10 men after Sehnaj Singh was sent off for a dangerous tackle in the 41st minute in the Group D match which was played under constant drizzle and slippery conditions.
Robin Singh scored the all-important goal in the 10th minute at the Kanteerava Stadium to give India three points.
Despite the win, India are still at the bottom of the five-team group with three points while Guam are just above them on seven.
India are already out of contention for a final round berth for the 2018 World Cup but today's win has put them in a good position to qualify for the 2019 Asian Cup.
The group winners and four best runners-up teams will advance to the final round of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Asian giants Iran and Oman are on equal 18 points after six matches in the group.
The next best 24 teams from the preliminary stage of the qualifiers will compete in a separate competition for the remaining 12 slots for the 24-team 2019 Asian Cup.
Robin put India ahead early in the match. The striker, playing in front of his Bengaluru FC home crowd, received a pass from captain Sunil Chhetri and then cut into the Guam box by getting the better of a defender before sending the ball past a leaping goalkeeper into the net.
The home side suffered a jolt in the 41st minute after Sehnaj was shown a straight red card for a late and high tackle on Justin Lee.
But Stephen Constantine's side hung onto the lead despite Guam’s incessant attack in the second half.
Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu also did a great job under the bar by making numerous saves late in the match after Guam went all out looking for an equaliser.
Image: The Indian football team before their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Guam in Bangalore on Thursday
Photograph: AIFF
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