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AFC Challenge Cup Final It is after the long gap of 24 years that India will play in the Asia Football Cup in 2011 in Doha. India has secured its entry by defeating champion Tajikistan 4-1 in the eight-nation AFC Challenge Cup football tournament final played in New Delhi on Wednesday, August 13. It was in 1984 when, India, under the guidance of their Yugoslav coach Ciric Milovan had played in the Asia cup. Before it they had played in the Asia cup final in 1964 in which they were defeated by Israel. Final was scheduled to be played in Hyderabad but because of incessant is was shifted to Ambedkar Stadium which was almost full to its spectators’ capacity of 20,000.Indians dominated during both of the halves though Tajiks also tried to play an attacking games but Indian defenders did not let them succeed.

Hat-Trick It was India’s best performance in the tournament. Star of the day was Sunil Chhetri he made a hat-trick of goals. India dominated the first half and scored three goals. India’s dominance can be accessed from the point that they were leading by 3-0 by the 23^rd minute of the game. India’s first goal was scored in the 9^th minute of the game by Sunil Chhetri. Next was also scored by the same striker in the 17^th minute. It was captain Baichung Bhutia who scored the third goal in the 23^rd minute for the hosts. Sunil Chhetri completed his hat-trick in the 75^th minute. Sunil Chhetri gave a very tough time to his opponents as he pierced their defense easily many times. Tajiks made launched some good attacks but could not convert the chances into success. Indian goalie Subrata Paul foiled most of their attempts one of which was in 20^th minute. 

Other Match Tajikistan’s midfielder Fatkullo Fatkuloev scored the sole goal for his side. If their striker Davrondzhon Tukhtasunov could have been played in the final the result could have been different. During their semifinal encounter with North Korea  Davrondzhon Tukhtasunov was suspended because he was shown a red card . In  another match played for the 3rd/4^th  place North Korea defeated Myanmar bu 4-0. Korean midfielder Pak Song-chol made a hat-trick.

Indian football team is being coached by Bob Houghton.