India Play Out 1-1 Draw Against Singapore In Vietnam

The Blue Tigers' first match since the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers in June yielded no result as India and Singapore remained locked in a 1-1 draw in the Hung Thinh Friendly Football Tournament at the Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Saturday. India, who rested experienced central defender Sandesh Jhingan, went into an arrear in the 37th minute but came back strongly within six minutes to level the score through Ashique Kuruniyan. While dishing out a decent show in the midfield, Igor Stimac's boys made some intelligent moves on both the wings, but couldn't break the defensive shackles of the rivals.

After a cautious start by both teams, Singapore were the first to have a crack at the rival goal. In the 14th minute, Ikhsan Fandi had a clear view of the goal, but ever-alert central defender Anwar Ali came to the rescue with a neat clearance. Fandi was certainly the most active force in almost every Singapore attack - he had another try at the Indian goal 10 minutes later; this time a header, but it wasn't enough to beat Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

India's first serious foray at the opponent area was in the 18th minute when they launched a combined attack that nearly resulted in a goal. While Anirudh Thapa was perfect with the through the pass, equally immaculate was Ashique Kuruniyan, who set it up for Liston Colaco. The Indian forward was prompt and accurate with his shot from outside the box, but the rival goalkeeper and skipper Hassan Sunny dived to make a brilliant save.

It wasn't the last time Hassan denied India a near-certain goal. As India stepped up the pressure, a corner taken by Thapa in the 29th minute found Anwar going for a flawless header. Hassan, however, was quick to grab the ball.

Fandi put