Hyderabad, August 08: India rode on a late goal by Sunil Chhetri to beat Myanmar 1-0 under unplayable ground conditions and set up a title clash against defending champions Tajikistan in the AFC Challenge Cup football tournament here today.

Chhetri scored India's all-important goal in the 82nd minute of the semifinal match with a fine header after being set up by captain Baichung Bhutia.

In the other semifinal, which was marred by a brief scuffle between the players after the match was over, Tajikistan stunned title favourites DPR Korea by a solitary goal scored by Muhidinov Dzhomikhon in the 39th minute.

Playing on a ground not suitable for an international match, the home team game against Myanmar depended more on factors not connected with football.

In the first half, which failed to produce any goal, the pitch was better despite the top surface crumbling due to lots of rain in the past few days.

But after heavy downpour during the interval, the Gachibowli Stadium ground turned into a muddy field with pools of water in the middle and ball stopping once it fell on the water.

Myanmar had more of the attacks initially but the home team pressed hard towards the close of first session and should have taken the lead but for striker Sunil Chhetri.

Eight minutes from time, Chhetri scored the all-important goal for India from a Baichung initiative.

The India captain got the ball just outside the rival box.

He got the better of his marker and then sent a floater for Chhetri who held the ball with a first header and then nodded home with a second header to the wild celebration of Indian supporters.

The second semifinal between defending champions Tajikistan and DPR Korea was also a tussle of who comes out unscathed under unplayable ground conditions.

Played under intermittent rain, DPR Korea were the dominant side in the first session but it were the Tajiks who scored against the run of play in the match delayed by half an hour due to heavy ground conditions.

The match also saw two North Koreans captain Pak Nam Chol and Choe Myong Hobeing shown direct red cards for arguing with the referee in the 88th and 92nd minutes.

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