AAG: India beats Zimbabwe 5-3

Hyderabad:

Veteran striker I M Vijayan and captain Bhaichung Bhutia scored two goals each as India survived some anxious moments before prevailing over a fighting Zimbabwe 5-3 to enter the football final of Afro-Asian Games at Hyderabad. In the final, India will meet Uzbekistan who defeated Rwanda by a golden goal through Boyev Konstantin after the scores were level at 1-1. After taking a huge 3-1 lead at half-time, India faced a late fight back by the Zimbabweans who despite being reduced to 10 players for most part of the second half managed to put the hosts under tremendous pressure. Referee Subkhiddin of Malaysia had shown the red card to Zimbabwe's Mantora Asani after he knocked down Bhutia while attempting to wrest the ball. Both the players had to be carried out of the field. Earlier in the first half, Zimbabwe began well scoring in the fourth minute itself but the Indians soon started dominating the proceedings and scored at will. "We conceded an early goal. It was not easy. We knew we had to keep fighting. I am happy about the win," Bhutia said after the match. (PTI)