Dushanbe (Tajikistan): India escaped with a 1-1 draw after an injury-time goal saved them the blushes against lower-ranked Afghanistan in their FIFA World Cup qualifier here on Thursday. The result meant the 106-ranked India remained winless in their qualifying campaign so far. When the visitors seemed headed for their second defeat, substitute Seiminlen Doungel (90+3) provided India with a lifeline, outjumping his markers to head one into the far post.

Afghanistan had taken the lead through Zelfagar Nazary's strike (45+1), putting India on the back foot. India remained at the fourth position in Group E with three points from four matches, while Afghanistan continued to be on the third with four points.