IN PICS | India beat Macau 4-1 in Bengaluru, qualify for AFC Asian Cup after eight long years

With four wins from four, India will make their third appearance in the Asian Cup when it kicks off in the Middle East two years from now.

Indian team celebrating after beating Macau 4-1 in their AFC Asian Cup 2019 qualifier in Bengaluru on Wednesday. With four wins from four, the Blue Tigers will make their third appearance in the Asian Cup when it kicks off in the Middle East two years fro 

Macau, the minnows in the group, were not expected to challenge, let alone score a goal against group leaders India. But, here they were, holding onto a 1-1 draw with two-thirds of the game played. | (Nagaraja Gadekal | EPS)

After Rowllin Borges had given India the lead in the 28th minute, Macau had levelled through Nicholas Tarrao in the 37th minute -- their first in the third round of the qualifying campaign. | (Nagaraja Gadekal | EPS)

coach Stephen Constantine had swapped Jackichand Singh with Balwant Singh at the start of the second period. And it was the substitute frontman who latched onto Jeje Lalpekhlua's through ball and crossed for Chhetri to convert at the hour mark. | (Nagaraja Gadekal | EPS)

Skipper Sunil Chhetri again came to the rescue act, as he scored the goal that sent India to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in UAE. | ( Nagaraja Gadekal | EPS)

Holicharan Narzary's cross was turned into his own goal by Macau defender Ka Seng Lam in the 70th minute to double the home team's advantage before Jeje put the game to rest in the second half added time. | PTI

The 4-1 final score was a fair reflection of India's attacking prowess, but there were a few instances when Macau could have gone ahead. | (Nagaraja Gadekal | EPS)