CS Sabeeth made his debut for the senior national team at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as India qualified for the AFC Challenge Cup 2012, after drawing 1-1 with Turkmenistan in their last group match, thanks to an equaliser from Jeje Lalpekhula who has been a find of the qualifiers.
India who were clubbed with Turkmenistan, Chinese Taipei and Pakistan in the Group B of the qualifiers, headed the group with two wins and a draw. India started off with a 3-0 win over Chinese Taipei. Jeje Lalpekhula and Sheikh Jewel Raja scored on their debut for India while Sunil Chhetri who was the captain in the absence of Bhaichung Bhutia found the other goal.
In the second match, against arch rivals Pakistan, India came back from behind to win 3-1. Jeje equalised for India in the 67th minute and found another in the added time. Midfielder Steven Diaz also found the net for India from a free kick.With the win, India had ensured their qualification for the final round of the AFC Challenge Cup that will be held at Malaysia next year.
Bob Houghton decided to go with the youngsters in the last match against Turkmenistan and Viva Kerala striker Sabeeth started for India in his debut. It was the opposition that took the lead in the second half from the penalty spot, but Jeje struck back in quick fashion to draw level.
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Friday 25 March 2011, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.
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