AL AIN, United Arab Emirates -- Subait
Khater guided the United Arab Emirates to a 1-0 revenge victory
over 10-man India in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday.
Khater struck in the 63rd minute as the UAE avenged a
surprise 1-0 defeat to India on April 8 and moved to the top of
group eight in the Asian zone qualifying competition.
The goal came eight minutes after India striker Baichung
Bhutia, who plays for English second division club Bury, was
shown the red card for dangerous play.
Anxious to make amends, the home side made an aggressive
start but failed to turn their midfield superiority into goals,
while India never really posed a threat at the other end.
With strikers Bhutia and I.M. Vijayan effectively marked by
UAE defenders, India were constantly on the back foot.
The dismissal of Bhutia, who had been booked in the first
half for a similar offence, was a bodyblow to India's hopes and
the UAE soon exploited the yawning gaps in the Indian defence.
Khater, put through by Fahad Masood, beat goalkeeper
Virender Singh during a goalmouth scramble to secure the points.
The UAE eased up after scoring while India failed to mount
any attacks on the hosts' goal.
The UAE now have six points from three matches, two more
than second-placed Yemen, who have a game in hand. India are
third on four points while Brunei Darussalam are bottom after
two defeats. The group winners go through to a second qualifying
round featuring 10 teams.
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