Sunil Chhetri was once again the man of the moment as he struck a brace to inspire India to a 2-0 win over Cambodia in the third round of qualifying for next year's Asian Cup.
The Blue Tigers raced to a 1-0 lead with the 21-year-old centreback Anwar scoring his maiden international goal four years after his career nearly ended on health grounds.
Phan Van Duc (10th), Nguyen Van Toan (49th) and Nguyen Van Quyet (70th) scored for Vietnam to no reply from the Indians whose defenders had a mediocre outing, especially in the second half.
Blue Tigers rise to third spot.
Churchill Brothers scored their maiden win of the season when they came back from behind to down 10-man Bengaluru FC 2-1 in the fifth round of the hero I-League match, in Vasco, on Friday.
In a clinical display by the Indian football team, the colts got off to a winning start in the AFC U-19 Qualifiers, beating 10-man Turkmenistan 3-1 at the Takhti Stadium in Tehran, Iran on Monday.
FC Goa started off the Derrick Pereira era with a 1-1 draw
The Mariners looked the better side and had the best chance of the first-half in the 40th minute but Williams' powerful left-footer rattled off the upright.
Oman made a late comeback to defeat India 2-1 in the opening Group E match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup Joint-Qualifiers at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, on Thursday.
Both teams failed to create clear-cut chances in the first-half, staying defensively organised. As a result, no shots on target were registered. But it was Goa, who appeared more threatening.
With seven points from eight matches, India finished third in Group E behind toppers Qatar and Oman, and ahead of Afghanistan (4th in group with six points from eight matches).
Bengaluru FC had a satisfying Indian Super League debut as they beat Mumbai City FC 2-0 in their opening encounter with Spaniard Eduardo Martin Garcia and skipper Sunil Chhetri on target.
For Bengaluru, Cleiton Silva (27') and Juanan Gonzalez (57') scored and till the hour mark,
SC East Bengal played most part of the second half with 10 men after captain Daniel Fox was sent off in the 56th minute.
National coach Stephen Constantine announced a list of 28 probables on Thursday for India's forthcoming 2018 World Cup preliminary joint qualification match against Iran.
Brandon Fernandes had a chance to put his side ahead in the game early on when he was set up by Jorge Ortiz on the left. The midfielder got the ball at the edge of the box and curled at the far post but only to see his attempt miss the top corner.
India captain Sunil Chhetri said the team couldn't make use of the opportunities, but no less mediocre was India's defending.
Sunil Chhetri, playing in his 121st international in the SAFF Championship, struck in the 27th minute to place himself just a goal shy of legendary Brazillian Pele (77 goals from 92 matches).
Having missed out in the first season of the ISL, young Brendon Fernandes tells Laxmi Negi/Rediff.com he is determined to prove his worth with MumbaI City FC in Season-2.
Brandon Fernandes returned to the side as Goa coach Juan Ferrando named three changes to the line-up that lost against ATK Mohun Bagan with Aiban Dohling and Jeorge Ortiz being the other two.
Earlier in the day, TRAU FC earn maiden I-League point after 2-2 draw against Real Kashmir,
Having endured a topsy-turvy start to their campaign before a fine turnaround, seven-time champions India start as title favourites when they take on first-time finalists Nepal in the summit clash of the SAFF Championships, in Male, on Saturday.
Goa slipped to fourth and have eight points.
Sunil Chhetri likened the national team setup with his home and expressed his relief at returning to where he belongs
India remained winless in their qualifying campaign so far.
FC Goa overcame a strong fightback from Odisha FC after being three goals up to prevail 4-2 and reclaim the top spot in the Indian Super League, at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, on Wednesday.
FC Goa returned to winning ways and rose atop the Hero Indian Super League table after 4-2 rout over Mumbai City FC, in Mumbai, on Thursday.
FC Goa came up with yet another injury-time equaliser to salvage a point against NorthEast United FC in a thrilling 2-2 draw in an Indian Super League encounter.
The first meeting of the season between Hero Indian Super League heavyweights finished all square after FC Goa and Bengaluru FC shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw, in Margao, on Monday.
Chennaiyin FC went through to the final 6-5 on aggregate, thanks to their 4-1 victory at home in the first leg.
Adil Khan ensured that India at least secure a point from the home match
FC Goa returned the favour just four minutes later when Seriton Fernandes and Alberto Noguera played a quick one-two, before sending the former free on the right flank.
FC Goa clinched their first win of the ongoing Indian Super League season as they beat Kerala Blasters 3-1 at the Fatorda Stadium, in Margao, on Sunday.
FC Goa turned in a flawless display to beat I-League champions Chennai City FC 3-0 in the first semi-final of the Hero Super Cup, at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar, on Tsday. The result sends the Gaurs through to the final of the knockout tournament, where they will face the winner of Wednesday's match between Atletico de Kolkata and Chennaiyin FC.
Real Kashmir scored their first victory of the ongoing I League season with a 2-1 defeat of the defending champion Chennai City.
All the results from the I-League and ISL matches played on Friday
Adolfo Miranda scored the all-important goal of the match at a rain-soaked Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Mumbai City did put up a fight but Goa were clinical enough to notch up an emphatic win.
A brace from Jorge Ortiz helped FC Goa script a 3-0 win over Jamshedpur FC in an Indian Super League match at the Fatorda Stadium, in Margao, on Thursday.
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