India clung onto a 1-1 draw against a fiery Myanmar to secure qualification for the knockout stages at the Asian Games on Sunday. The last crucial group league match was played at the Xiaoshan Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, China. 

Sunil Chhetri scored the lone goal for India through a penalty shot after 23 minutes of fierce play. The penalty was recieved due to a foul on Rahim Ali while he was in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper.

Myanmar was slightly more physical in the final 20 minutes. And they soon found the equaliser in the 73rd minute with substitute Kyaw Htwe connects a cross coming from the side of the D to beat Indian golie, Dheeraj.

India played in the defensive in the final few minutes to prevent any more goals from the fierce Myanmar. The blow of the final whistle from the referee ended the match in a 1-1 draw. But it ensures India a berth in the round-of-16 on the basis of highest points.

This was a much needed qualification as it is for the first time in 13 years that India have qualified for the knockouts of the continental tournament.