Looking for Soccer News?

Licensing issues mean that football video and simulation games have a long history of using fake names to carefully avoid potential disputes.

The likes of Konami's Pro Evolution series famously popularised teams such as 'Man Red' players like 'Naldarinho', but nowadays there is generally no such confusion.

However, there are still a number of fake names littered across football titles, such as 'Piemonte Calcio' in FIFA and now Manchester United have been renamed 'Man UFC' from Football Manager 2022 on.

Why are Manchester United called 'Man UFC' on Football Manager 2022?

A legal dispute between Manchester United and the makers of the Football Manager games is the reason why the Red Devils are known as 'Manchester UFC' on Football Manager 2022.

The club launched legal action against Sega and Sports Interactive in May 2020 over what it argued was an infringement of trademark.

While Sega and Sports Interactive maintained that they did not need a licence to use the club's name in their game, they confirmed in August 2021 that they had agreed an amicable compromise.

"Manchester United and Sega have agreed a settlement to amicably resolve their trademark dispute relating to Football Manager. Both parties are pleased to resolve this matter to their mutual satisfaction," a statement posted on the Football Manager Twitter page explained.

"From FM22 onwards, the Manchester United football club will be named ‘Manchester UFC’ or ‘Man UFC’. These name changes have been made purely to settle the dispute on a no admissions basis.

"SEGA and Sports Interactive maintain that they do not need a licence to use the ‘Manchester United’ name but have made the change as a gesture of goodwill so that both parties can move on."

Manchester United are not the only club without a real name on Football Manager, with Juventus notably rebranded as 'Zebre' following the Bianconeri's exclusive deal with Konami in 2019.

Brazilian clubs have been shortened to a three-letter version, so Flamengo are 'FLA' and Vasco da Gama are 'VDG'.

There are other licensing drawbacks too. For example, Oliver Kahn has long been known as 'Jens Mustermann' in the games, while the Japan and Germany national teams do not call up real players.

Do 'Manchester UFC' have real players in Football Manager 2022?

Yes. While the name of Manchester United has been altered in Football Manager 2022, other aspects of the club reflect reality.

So, they still wear red jerseys, play their home games at Old Trafford and boast a playing squad replete with the talent of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and wonderkid Mason Greenwood.

Can you fix 'Man UFC' on Football Manager 2022 to get the real name?

It is possible to get the real names of clubs and certain players on Football Manager 2022, but it requires a small bit of technical wizardry to turn 'Man UFC' into 'Manchester United'.

Websites such as SortItOutSI and FMScout provide files that can be downloaded and step-by-step instructions on how to apply the real names fix.

Kylian Mbappe "needs to get a taste for blood", according to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who says the Paris Saint-Germain star must learn to "walk on fire" and "hurt himself" in order to reach his full potential.

Mbappe is widely regarded as one of the top strikers in the world, having helped fire PSG to multiple domestic trophies and France to World Cup glory in 2018, but he has struggled to live up to his usual high standards at the start of the 2021-22 campaign.

It has been suggested that the 22-year-old, who missed a 2-1 win against Lille on Friday due to illness, has been distracted by transfer talk after failing to force through a move to Real Madrid in the summer, and Ibrahimovic believes he is being hampered by a lack of motivation.

What's been said?

The veteran Milan forward, who played for PSG between 2012 and 2016, thinks Mbappe needs more people around him that are willing to point out the flaws in his game so that he can improve.

"I love him but he doesn't do enough," Ibrahimovic has told Telefoot. "He can become so good if he learns to hurt himself. He needs to get a taste for blood, walk on fire.

"Surround yourself with those who say you aren't good enough & you will be better."

Pressed on where he ranks Mbappe in terms of Europe's elite players, the Swede added: "Kylian Mbappé is in my top 10. There are players who have been at the top for a very long time but for the young guys, there is [Erling] Haaland & who else... there is Ibrahimovic, no need to talk about the others!"

PSG are on course to win back the Ligue 1 title after winning 10 of their opening 12 games, and have also been touted as one of the favourites in the Champions League, but have faced plenty of criticism for their recent performances.

Ibrahimovic still sees Mauricio Pochettino's group as a team of individuals, as he said when asked if they are better than the side he played in at Parc des Princes: "No [they are not]. Because we were a team. Today, this is not a team. Maybe later on. I believe in this team, but they are not the best."

Will Mbappe stay at PSG beyond 2022?

Mbappe has only managed to score six goals in 14 outings across all competitions so far this season amid the continued speculation over his long term future.

The Frenchman's current contract expires next summer and PSG have yet to make a breakthrough in extension talks, with Madrid still lurking in the background.

Mbappe will be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with the Spanish giants in January if he chooses, but his mother recently indicated that he could yet end up staying at Parc des Princes.

"We are currently in talks with PSG and things are going well," Fayza Lamari told Le Parisien last month. "Will we come to an agreement? One thing is certain: he will give his all until the end to win the Champions League."

Further reading

Football Kenya Federation Premier League side AFC Leopards are targeting to sign five or six players before the transfer window shuts on Monday.

Ingwe have not added any new players to their set-up owing to a Fifa ban, but since then they have reached agreements with the individuals who took them to the world-governing body for dues that were not settled.

Former coach Andre Casa Mbungo - now at Bandari - and former players Vincent Habaramahoro, Soter Kayumba, and Tresor Ndikumana are the ones who reported Ingwe.

"We are now free to sign new players," a source at the club told Goal on Sunday. "We were not able to sign anyone because of the issues we had at Fifa following our failure to pay our former coach and players.

"You know, we held a fundraiser to help collect money that will clear the dues, and apart from that, we also engaged the people concerned to see if they could agree to a partial payment of their money.
 
"They understood our position and the weak financial muscle and that is why we entered into a gentleman's agreement that made Fifa lift the sanction on us.

"For that, we are going to sign five or six players that will strengthen our squad. The technical bench has given the club's management a list of players they want signed to bolster key positions.

"The squad is thin in almost every department and we hope the new stars will help us solve the problems. We are aware that we cannot have a good season with the team we have now because we lack depth and balance.

"We further hope to solve all these issues within the shortest period possible."

AFC Leopards have just one win - that was registered against Tusker in the season opener - in five games. They went on to draw 0-0 against KCB before consecutive defeats against Gor Mahia, Bandari and Ulinzi Stars.

AFC Leopards were left depleted when 17 players left before the current season began. Key players that departed include Benjamin Ochan, Jeff Oyemba, Clyde Senaji, Austin Odhiambo, Elvis Rupia and Yusuf Mainge.

Kenya international Michael Olunga scored the winning goal as Al Duhail SC came from behind to beat Qatar SC 2-1 in a Qatar Stars League match on Saturday.

It was the visiting Kings who took the lead in the 15th minute courtesy of Javi Martinez but Duhail levelled through Nam Tae-hee in the 38th minute before Olunga scored the winner in the 46th minute at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium.

Duhail, who were seeking to get their seventh win in the top-flight this campaign, started the game pressing their opponents and they should have scored in the 11th minute when Al Moez Ali set up Olunga, but the lanky Harambee Star hit the woodwork.

However, four minutes later, Duhail were punished for missing that chance as Martinez evaded his markers with a clever chip before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Mohamed Al Bakry.

With seven minutes left to the half-time break, Duhail moved level after a good move from the right initiated by Sultan Al Brake set up Abdullah Al Ahrak.

After receiving the ball, Al Ahrak delivered a cross that found the unmarked Nam Tae-hee and he did not make a mistake, beating Qatar goalkeeper Jasem Al-Hail with a cool finish.

A minute after the resumption, Duhail took the lead when Olunga turned behind defenders to neatly finish a cross from Bassam Al Rawi with his left foot and the goal turned out to be the winner.

The 27-year-old Olunga has now scored 10 goals this campaign from six appearances and has raked in 494 minutes. He was also on target in the team's last match as they beat Al-Shamal 1-0.

Duhail coach Luis Castro expressed his happiness after picking up maximum points from the tough fixture.

“Al Duhail controlled the match completely in the first and second half except for the last ten minutes in the half where Qatar tried to score which is normal when you are a loser,” Castro told the club’s official website after the game.

“Our team presented a good match and we cannot say we presented an amazing match, we had 17 opportunities to score and we were able to score only twice, and I wished to score more than two goals.

“Qatar team was able to close its back area, so our passes were slow, and we had to play a lot in the midfield area waiting for the opponent team to attack, but our team was able to achieve victory, congratulations to Duhail players, and now we have to take rest and prepare for the upcoming match.”

The victory left Duhail second on the 12-team table with 21 points from eight matches, three points behind leaders Al Sadd.

Olunga and Duhail will next face Xavi’s Al Sadd in a league match at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium on Wednesday.

The India U-23 team put up a creditable show in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers. Despite playing against teams ranked higher, India beat Oman 2-1 and could have earned a point against UAE but for a penalty which allowed The Whites to pick up the three points. 

In their final group game against Kyrgyzstan U-23, they were held to a 0-0 draw. But India did finish second in the group after Dheeraj Singh made two saves in the ensuing penalty shootout for the second spot. After all matches of Group E, the table looks like this. 

Can India qualify for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup?

Although India are second placed in the group with four points, it is very tough, almost impossible, for them to qualify for the main event. Let us find out why. 

Only group winners are assured of a spot in the main event along with four best second-placed teams. There are 11 groups in the qualifiers and the second-placed teams in 10 of those groups will be considered for the remaining four spots. The top four teams out of the 10 sides will progress to the main event. This is because one of the 11 groups, Group G, has only two teams - Australia and Indonesia.

And India is among the 10 second-placed teams. But there is a small catch. Since there are a few groups with only three teams, in groups of four teams, the results against the fourth-placed team is not considered for this ranking. But in groups where there are three teams, all results will be counted. 

So that means India's results against Oman (who finished fourth in India's group) will not be considered while preparing this table. This implies that India just have one point from the two matches (for the second-placed team ranking).

Let us take a look at the ranking of second-placed teams in a table to have further clarity on India's chances of progression.  

This shows that India are on the ninth spot amongst the best-second-ranked teams and therefore have marginal chances of qualification.  However, since Iran, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Syria, and Saudi Arabia still have a match in hand, the table is not final. 

Anyhow, the chances of India progressing as one of the best four second-placed team is next to nil. 

Asante Kotoko opened their 2021-22 Ghana Premier League campaign in good fashion by a 3-1 away victory over Dreams on Saturday.

Liverpool and Sporting Club-linked Abdul Fatawu Issahaku netted first for the hosts but replies from Salifu Mudasiru, Isaac Oppong and Richmond Lamptey sealed victory for the Porcupine Warriors at the Accra Sports Stadium.

After just the second match of the campaign following Elmina Sharks and Accra Lions’ 1-1 draw season opener on Friday, the Kumasi-based outfit have, by the score margin, taken an early lead on the standings.

The look of the table might, however, change when 14 more teams, including Hearts of Oak, take their turn of matchday one action on Sunday.

Seventeen-year-old Issahaku, who made his senior Ghana debut earlier this month, was the major highlight of Dreams’ starting XI, having sealed a loan transfer from second tier fold Steadfast earlier this week.

Brazilian attacker Fabio Gama, who has emerged as the most attractive player in the Ghanaian topflight, headlined the Porcupine Warriors XI which also featured Ghana international centre-back Ismail Abdul Ganiyu.

It was indeed sensational stuff on the day as Dreams, who hosted the game at the Accra Sports Stadium due to temporary suspension of their Dawu-based home ground for not meeting licensing requirements, led until the final four minutes of regular time when their machinery broke down dramatically.

After a barren first half, Issahaku broke the deadlock four minutes after the hour mark when he intercepted a loose ball outside the box, weaved his way past four men as he drove into the box and slotted a shot past goalkeeper Razak Abalora.

Still Believe held their own for a seeming big victory until the 86th minute when they saw their defence cut open by an Oppong through ball which Mudasiru latched onto to shoot through the legs of goalkeeper Solomon Abasi.

Two minutes later, Oppong gave Kotoko the lead for the first time when he collected a cross from the left following a failed bicycle clearance by his Dreams marker and fired a shot into the net from just outside the 12-yard box.

In the second minute of injury time, new signing Lamptey completed the comeback with a trademark powerful shot from outside the box after receiving a pass from Oppong who was at the thick of affairs once again.

Kotoko will be looking to clinch their 24th league title this season.

Ghana duo Baba Rahman and Andy Yiadom and Nigeria prospect Ovie Ejaria were in action as Reading succumbed to a 2-0 home defeat to Bournemouth in the Championship on Saturday.

Nigerian descents Philip Billing and Dominic Solanke featured for the match winners.

In the matchday 15 fixture, Solanke and Jamal Lowe scored to make the difference.

The lost, Reading’s third straight defeat in the league, has left the side 16th on the table while Bournemouth sit high up on first position.

Coming into the game on the back of successive defeats to Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers, The Royals had set sights on three points to turn their fortunes around.

It was apparently not to be as they conceded in either half to miss out on three points for the eighth time this term.

With things looked headed for a barren first half, Solanke broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute, scoring from a Gary Cahill assist to put Bournemouth 1-0 up.

After the interval, Reading came back with more energy, throwing everything forward in search for an equaliser, as the home crowed spurred them on.

In the process, the hosts would leave spaces at the back for Bournemouth to exploit, one such moment capitalised on as Lowe, a substitute, coolly slotted home on a quick break in the 59th minute.

Reading tried to find a back into the game but the visitors were relentless in defence as they held on for victory and a clean sheet.

Yiadom and Baba, interestingly Ghana’s first-choice full backs at international level, lasted for the entire duration of the game.

The former is in his fourth season with the club while the later joined the Championship on a season-long loan in August.

Ejarie, who is reportedly close to switching international allegiance from country of birth England to Nigeria, also played for the full 90 minutes, as did former Nigeria U23 striker Tom Dele-Bashiru.

On the Bournemouth side, Solanke and Denmark international Billing played the full game but Zimbabwe ace Jordan Zemura was substituted in the second half.

Reading will hope to bounce back to winning ways when they play as guests of Millwall on Tuesday.

Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned 2021 MTN8 champions after defeating Cape Town City 3-2 in a dreadful penalty shootout on Saturday evening.

The final had ended in a 1-1 draw following extra-time with Fagrie Lakay grabbing a second-half equalising goal for the Citizens after Thapelo Morena had handed Masandawana the lead.

Denis Onyango was the hero for Sundowns as the veteran Ugandan goalkeeper saved five penalties during the shootout to inspire the Tshwane giants to their first Top 8 trophy since 2007.

However, there was an element of controversy at the end of the reigning PSL champions' cup victory at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium.

City players protested to the match referee Thando Ndzandzeka indicating that Onyango moved off his line ahead of the Citizens players making contact with the ball during the shootout.

Check out how Twitter reacted to Masandawana's win: 

Anthony Nwakaeme is revelling in the prestige of making his 100th appearance for Trabzonspor during the 2-1 triumph over Rizespor on Friday.

Having been introduced for Berat Ozdemir in the 46th minute, the Nigeria international joined the likes of former Guinea international Ibrahima Yattara in the list of Black Sea Storm players who have reached that mark.

Nwakaeme marked his milestone with a goal in the 73rd minute to help Abdullah Avcı’s team pick all points at the Medical Park Stadium.

The former Hapoel Be'er Sheva star celebrated his landmark appearance, publishing a photo on Instagram with the accompanying caption: “Last night was just amazing as I celebrate 100 appearances in the Turkish Super Lig with a winning goal off the bench.

“Thanks to my teammates, coaches and our amazing fans for all the love and support.”

After three seasons with Israeli top-flight side Be'er Sheva, Nwakaeme joined the Turkish elite division side in August 2018 for an undisclosed fee.

In his first season, he accounted for 10 goals in 27 league outings.

In the following campaign, he stepped up by netting 14 times and providing seven assists in 39 appearances across all competitions.

Even at his heroics, the Black Sea Storm narrowly missed out on winning the Turkish elite division diadem – finishing in second place behind eventual winners Istanbul Basaksehir.

His eye-catching displays have seen him getting linked to Fenerbahce in the summer of 2020, albeit, Nwakeme vowed to see out his contract with Trabzonspor.

The Super Eagle began his professional career with Vejle Football Academy in 2006 before moving to Romania to represent Universitatea Cluj.

The forward scored eight goals in 37 appearances in his first spell with the side before leaving to sign for Petrolul Ploiesti in 2012.

He returned to Universitatea Cluj in 2013 before he teamed up with Israeli Premier League side Hapoel Ra'anana in the summer of that year after only featuring 10 times and scoring two goals for the Red Caps.

On the international scene, he made his Nigeria debut against Algeria in November 2017 but has not been given a further invitation to the national team.

Nwakaeme would be hoping to continue his fine scoring run against Besiktas on November 6.

Cristiano Ronaldo has brushed off the critics who have labelled Manchester United as "crap" in recent weeks, saying after a 3-0 win against Tottenham on Saturday that he never cared about the public perception of the team.

His goal and assist vs Spurs helped relieve pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad after last weekend's 5-0 defeat to Liverpool prompted angry comments from the likes of Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney.

Still, the Red Devils remain in uncomfortable territory in the Premier League with their title ambitions a distant dream due to a generally disappointing month of October.

What has been said?

"The criticisms are always there," Ronaldo said to the club's official website. "For me, it doesn't bother me because I have played 18 years of football, so I know that one day [people will say] we are perfect and another day [they will say] we are crap.

"I know that and we have to deal with that, but it's always better when the people praise you and they are happy with you.

"Sometimes life is like that, sometimes we have to pass through bad moments and we have to change and we changed today.

"The team was a little bit under pressure, a little bit sad, but we knew that today we [could] give a good answer. We played good, we started the game very well.

"Of course my job is to help the team with my experience, my goals, my assists and I did that today and I feel so pleased with that. But in terms of the team, it was an unbelievable performance in my opinion."

Bigger picture

Even with their comprehensive victory over Tottenham, Ronaldo and Co. are eight points back of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table, so the criticism won't simply go away due to a single positive result.

However, the importance of beating Spurs cannot be overstated, as United kept themselves near a top-four place when a defeat would have tumbled them all the way down to eighth. And amid calls that he should be dropped, Ronaldo netted a stunning volley.

They will look to use this weekend's win as a stepping stone for a strong midweek performance against Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Further reading

Mamelodi Sundowns co-head coach Rhulani Mokwena praised Cape Town City FC after the Tshwane giants were crowned MTN8 champions. 

Fagrie Lakay's second-half strike cancelled out Thapelo Morena's opening goal as the two teams drew 1-1 in the final which was played at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

However, Denis Onyango's goalkeeping heroics in the penalty shootouts inspired Masandawana to a 3-2 win on penalties as the Uganda star saved five spot-kicks.

"Don't we love to make it difficult. But credit to Cape Town City, they are a very very good side," Mokwena told SuperSport TV after the match.

"They keep fighting and you've seen throughout the season that the games are never over until they're over for them. They've always got the possibilities of scoring.

"When you leave the game open for so long and you create so many chances and you don't put them to bed that becomes lesson number one."

The former Orlandi Pirates interim coach admitted that Masandawana were not a good team without ball with the Citizens having looked dangerous when they kept possession. 

"Lesson number two we are not a very good side without the ball. In certain moments in the second half, we were very naive and didn't look after the ball," he added. 

"And they are a very good side when they have possession. Credit to City, they're a top side with good players. It was not easy. When you keep missing chance, I mean that chance when Thapelo had one on one you're hoping that goes in.

"We got situations where if we make a better pass then it's a better situation to score. When you miss these chances the emotional attachment to the game drops," he continued.

"When you beat worthy opponents like this it feels a lot sweeter. The shoot-out was difficult. Congratulations to the team."

Mokwena and his fellow co-head coach Manqoba Mngqithi have now won two major trophies with Masandawana including last season's PSL title.

"We've delivered the one that's been missing from the cabinet and now we focus on the lessons we take out. It's a long season ahead," he said. 

"We have a very difficult [PSL] game [against Maritzburg United] on Wednesday. For now, recover, recoup and travel back to Johannesburg and fight for three points on Wednesday."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Naby Keita suffered a hamstring injury in their 2-2 Premier League draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

On Friday, Klopp said he was surprised by Keita's quick recovery after he was at the receiving end of a horror tackle from Manchester United's Paul Pogba last Sunday.

A few minutes into Saturday’s encounter at Anfield, the Guinea star walked off the pitch in pain and he was replaced in the 20th minute by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

In his absence, goals from Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mane were not enough to seal maximum points for Liverpool.

However, at the end of the game, Klopp disclosed that Keita, who has endured injury struggles since he moved to the Merseyside in 2018, is set for an unspecified spell on the sidelines.

“He showed me the hamstring and how people told me, it’s hamstring. I cannot say more,” Klopp told the club’s website.

Keita has contributed two goals and an assist in seven Premier League games so far this term.

While assessing his team’s overall performance, Klopp described the shared points with Brighton as a defeat for Liverpool even though they remain second on the Premier League table.

“I cannot change it now, [but] it feels like a defeat even though I know it’s not a defeat. It is a deserved point for Brighton, obviously, for different reasons,” he continued.

“It’s unnecessary because in our good moments we were really good, we showed how you have play against Brighton but then with not playing enough football anymore, we opened the door for them.

“The best way to defend Brighton is to have the ball yourself and that’s what we didn’t do for long enough. That’s why we scored the two goals, which were incredible, especially the two goals which were disallowed were incredible.

"Sadio’s second goal was my favourite goal of all six years in Liverpool because of how we put them under pressure there; it was just insane and unlucky with the handball.

“Then they scored their goal – not sure if it was a cross or not, but who cares because the ball was in – and we didn’t play enough football anymore, not the right football.

"In our good moments, we attacked the centre of Brighton, which is where you have to do it and then we didn’t do that anymore.”

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri was not happy with his side's 2-1 defeat to Verona on Saturday, claiming that the Italian giants deserve their current lowly league position. 

A Gio Simeone double condemned Juve to their fourth defeat in 11 games, with Weston McKennie pulling back a late consolation for the visitors. 

That result leaves Allegri's men languishing in ninth place, a position which the coach believes reflects their current performance level.

What was said?

“Words are meaningless right now. We’re in a bad situation, we have to accept the reality that right now we are a mid-table team. We can get out of this situation with a little more determination and quality,” Allegri told DAZN after the final whistle.

“We will drag ourselves out of this situation. There’s no point feeling sorry for ourselves, that won’t help. We just need to focus on what we need to do and then things will sort themselves out.”

“It’s a good squad, but things don’t always go your way in football. We have to react with pride and determination. We had to play like a team that had one point, and we did, now we have to play like a team that has 15 points.

“We realised Verona were going to make it physical and a battle for every ball, so if you don’t meet them at that level, you will lose.

“Wearing the Juventus jersey does not give us a guarantee we must beat the teams in mid-table. We have to earn every point and do it with the right attitude.

“Verona knew that was how they had to play in order to beat Juventus. Our mistake was assuming we were better than Verona, and right now we are not. We must be realistic.”

The bigger picture

Juve trail current leaders Napoli by 13 points, a margin that could grow even greater following the pace-setters' visit to Salernitana on Sunday. 

They are also four points behind Roma, who have also played a game fewer, in the fourth Champions League qualifying spot. 

Allegri's charges have at least found more joy in European competition so far in 2021-22, winning all three of their Group H games so far to occupy top spot ahead of Champions League holders Chelsea. 

They are back in action on Tuesday, at home to Zenit in Turin. 

Further reading 

India U-23 were held to a 0-0 draw at the final whistle by Kyrgyzstan U-23 in their last Group E fixture of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers at the Fujairah Stadium in UAE. But since both the teams were tied on all parameters tiebreakers followed where Dheeraj Singh made two crucial saves to guarantee the second spot in the group for India. Rahul KP, Rohit Danu, Suresh Singh and Rahim Ali scored from the spot to post a favourable score of 4-2 after the shootout. 

Coach Igor Stimac made a single change to the starting XI that went down 1-0 in their previous match to UAE as Amarjit Singh replaced Jeakson Singh. It was a positive start for India as most of the possession was being enjoyed by them.

Within the first five minutes, Lalengmawia even tried his luck from distance after he got a sight of goal following a lengthy exchange of passes, but his attempt sailed wide. Rahul KP joined the action soon and used his pace and guile to beat his marker but his final ball was dealt at the expense of a corner. 

India kept knocking at goal with Rahim Ali and Vikram Pratap combining with a fancy one-two outside the box, but the latter's shot was blocked in its tracks. However, Kyrgyzstan slowly started to grow in the match and clawed their way back pushing India's back to the wall.

Maskat had a clear chance to score but his header went wide as Asish Rai kept ball watching. At the half-hour mark Borubaev was through on goal but keeper Dheeraj Singh denied him by coming out of his line. 

In the second half, Kyrgyzstan came out with a plan and started dominating proceedings. Ali Gulov could have scored from his header, had he kept it on target. Meanwhile, around the hour-mark, India had a penalty shout turned down even as it seemed that the ball struck the hand of an opposition defender. 

Just a minute later, Dheeraj once again brought out his best to deny Tapaev's close-range attempt. Stimac decided to shake things up in the middle and brought on attacking midfielder Rohit Danu to stage a fightback. The move worked for the Blue Tigers as India started creating more chances after his introduction. 

In the 68th minute, Deepak Tangri's acrobatic scissor-kick was saved by the keeper. Five minutes later, Rahul rifled a shot but it struck the woodwork and came out. But Kyrgyzstan was not ready to throw in the towel and Arlen tested Dheeraj with a venomous shot which was once again kept out by the FC Goa keeper. 

Although India are on the second spot in the table, their chances of qualification are very slim. Only the four-best second-placed team from 10 groups will go through and India are currently in the ninth spot.