India arrived in Singapore needing a result to keep their hopes alive in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier. Singapore struck first in the 45+ minute mark with Ikhsan Fandi converting a promising move. Early in the second half, India were reduced to 10 men after Sandesh Jhingan received a second yellow card and was sent off. Despite being a man down and under pressure, India kept battling. In stoppage time, substitute Rahim Ali pressed the opposition goalkeeper following a short back-pass. The ball ricocheted off him into the net, and he scored his first international goal, making it 1-1. That late equaliser salvaged a point for India in tough circumstances
The situation worsened soon after the second half began. Key defender Sandesh Jhingan, returning from a cheekbone fracture that required surgery, was sent off in the 47th minute after a second yellow card, leaving India to play with 10 men for most of the match.Despite Singapore dominating possession with over 60% of the ball and creating multiple attacking opportunities, India survived thanks to a late defensive blunder from the home side. Rahim Ali pounced on a poor backpass from Singapore’s Jordan Emaviwe in the 90th minute, rounding goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud to slot the ball into an open net, securing a crucial equaliser.Singapore’s inability to close out the match proved costly.
India had struggled to create chances throughout the 90 minutes and would likely have lost without the error.With the draw, India now have two points from three matches after a 0-0 draw against Bangladesh and a 0-1 loss to Hong Kong in earlier fixtures. Only the top team in the group qualifies for the 2027 tournament, meaning every point is critical for India’s ambitions.Both sides will face off again in the return leg on October 14 in Margao, Goa, with India hoping to build on their resilience and turn their campaign around.Playing with 10 men and relying on counter-attacks, India showed determination and mental strength, even under pressure from a dominant Singapore side. The result, though far from ideal, provides a lifeline in the tightly contested Group C, where every match carries significant weight in the qualification race.
