On Tuesday, A late header from Jeje Lalpekhlua could not prevent the Indian football team's 12-match unbeaten streak from coming to an end as the side went down 1-2 to Kyrgyz Republic in their last Group A match of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers here at the Dolon Omurzakov Stadium.

The last time the two teams met, India rode on a sublime Sunil Chhetri strike to win by a solitary goal. India, thus, finished their engagements on 13 points having already qualified to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 earlier. The hosts had the perfect start to the match as they surged ahead in the second minute itself, off their first attack down the right when Zemlianukhin Anton dug it into the top corner of the net.

The second goal came in the 73rd minute - the tireless and talented Murzalev Mirlan managing to swerve it beyond Indian captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu's reach, who otherwise had a notable outing under the bar pulling off a couple of blinders. Jeje reduced the margin in the 88th minute, Jeje Lalpekhlua heading in Halicharan Narzary's cross in the 88th minute.

In the first half, the hosts looked the better side trying to gain momentum with their deft passing. The Indians did press hard but Kyrgyz appeared more composed on the ball. However, India did find the back of the net twice - in the 18th minute and then in the 30th minute, but on both occasions Balwant Singh was ruled off-side.