India rode on a second half strike from Jeje Lalpekhlua to eke out a 2-2 draw against Myanmar in their 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifier at the Fatorda Stadium in Margao, Goa on Tuesday.
Jeje chested down a long cross from Eugeneson Lyngdoh before scoring with an accurate finish in the 69th minute.
The Indians are now unbeaten for the last 13 matches, having won 11 of those. They have already ensured qualification for the continental championship and the clash against Myanmar was only of academic interest.
They are at the top spot in Group A with 13 points from five matches.
But India’s performance in Tuesday’s match was nothing to write home about. Before Jeje’s goal, the hosts were struggling to keep up with the visitors.
The score at half-time read 2-1 in Myanmar’s favour as India wasted a couple of opportunities to score. But they did improve their performance after conceding two goals. The latter half of first 45 minutes saw them improve the passes and more chances were created.
But it was not until the 69th minute that India could find a goal. Jeje Lalpekhlua got the ball inside the Myanmar box and he went past two defenders before his left-footed strike beat a diving Myanmar goalkeeper and find the back of the net.