India scores thrilling win over UAE

M Siddaraju in Bangalore

An ebullient India galvanised all its energy to score a scintillating and confidence-instilling 1-0 victory over rated UAE in the Group 8 Asian Zone pre-World Cup qualifying football tourney at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Sunday.

The goal that stunned UAE, considered a strong opponent, and gave India an advantage in the opener itself, was hammered by Dias Alberto Jules Claudio in the 71st minute.

The prized goal was netted in a virtual goal mouth scramble, when Claudio made no mistake in flicking the ball into the net off a stop by another star striker, I M Vijayan.

Khalid Ahmed Jamil's free throw from the circle, was intercepted with immaculate precision by Vijayan and the Indian skipper Baichung Bhutia, who was near the goal mouth, was making all out effort to cash in on that precious move.

With the UAE defenders storming into the goal mouth in full strength and aiding its custodian Mutaz Abdulla Mohammed to prevent India from scoring, the ball rolled from the foot of Bhutia and Claudio, who was waiting like an eagle, flicked into the net.

The Indians with this goal did not disappoint the packed holiday crowd that had been there with high expectations.

An elated Indian coach, Sukvinder Singh said, ''It is a very good victory for Indian football and for the team.''

A beaming Bhutia said, ''The victory makes us feel great.''

With this victory in the opener, India goes one up in the qualifying rounds, which involves UAE, Yemen and Brunei.

The credit for the Indian victory should also go to its goal keeper Virender Singh, who created an impregnable fortress for UAE strikers.

The Indian defence came good and its strategy of playing 4-4-2 worked well.

Sukhvinder's strategy of deploying ace striker Vijayan after 60 minutes of play, paid rich dividends, as the FC Kochin livewire, combined well with Bhutia in attacking the UAE fort constantly.

Vijayan, who replaced R C Prakash, swung into action, in a determined bid to score.

UAE, ranked 6th in Asia and 64th in FIFA list, opened its attack on an impressive note, having a close call on India's goal mouth in the third minute itself when Yaser Salem Saleh Ali, sent in a powerful shot, which landed into the safe gloves of Virender Singh.

In the 7th minute, Abdul Salam Jumaa Anbar came near scoring off a pass from Saleh Ali, but sent the ball wide.

UAE miffed a golden scoring chance in the 10th minute, when its skipper Mohamed Omar M Ahmed's header missed the target off a pass from Abdul Raheem Jumaa Anbar.