Kolkata, October 9: India’s hopes of qualifying for the AFC Asia Cup 2027 remain hanging by a thread after being held to a 1–1 draw by Singapore in a crucial Group Stage encounter at the National Stadium, Singapore. Goals in either half saw the spoils shared, with Rahim Ali’s late strike salvaging a point for India after Ikhsan Fandi had given Singapore the lead.
With blowing the whistle, India created a chance from the right flank within two minutes, but it proved ineffective. In the 12th minute, Singapore created a chance. Sahiran whipped in a dangerous cross from the left flank for Stewart in the middle, but he was quickly closed down by Jhingan and Uvais, preventing a clean shot on goal.
In the 19th minute, Ikhsan Fandi created a one-on-one situation with Gurpreet Singh after receiving a through ball, but the referee ruled him offside. Before the end of the first half, Singapore broke the deadlock and took the lead. In the 45+1st minute, Hariss sent a long through ball into the box. Anuar made a diagonal run, played with Fandi who sent it into the net.
Early in the second half, within two minutes, Jhingan was sent off after receiving his second yellow card for conceding a foul on Fandi. In the 57th minute, the Blue Tigers earned a free-kick, which Chhangte took. It was almost on target, and the Singapore goalkeeper caught it but slipped, yet no Blue Tiger was there to follow up on the rebound.
In the 72nd minute, Singapore launched two back-to-back goalbound attacks. Ilhan Fandi received a through ball and attempted a shot, but it was off target, and Gurpreet made a save attempt. Almost immediately after, he got another chance and took another shot, but Gurpreet once again denied the threat.
As time went on, Khalid brought in some fresh legs, replacing Chhangte with Udanta and Sunil Chhetri with Rahim Ali to change the pace of the game. Within ten minutes of stepping in, Rahim Ali brought the much-awaited equalizer for India, scoring his first international goal for the senior side. The Singapore keeper, Mahbud, momentarily lost the ball and was out of position, allowing Rahim Ali to place the ball into the net, securing an important point and sealing the game 1–1.
After the last meeting between the two sides ended in a 1–1 draw, history repeated itself as India were held to another 1–1 stalemate against Singapore. Rahim Ali’s late strike rescued a crucial point, keeping India’s AFC Asia Cup 2027 hopes alive—but only just. The focus now shifts to the high-stakes home clash against Singapore on October 14, where a win is essential to keep qualification dreams on track.
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