AFC Cup 2019 | Late Mohammad Rafi goal earns crucial point for Chennaiyin FC

Chennaiyin FC’s Mohammed Rafi struck in the dying stages to rescue a point for the 2018 ISL winners against Minerva Punjab FC in the AFC Cup on Wednesday. After the first half of the match ended at 0-0 at the Indira Gandhi International Stadium in Guwahati, Samuel Lalmuanpia scored in the 62nd minute to give Minerva Punjab the lead in the Group E clash.

Rafi, who came on as a substitute in place of Francis Fernandes with less than 20 minutes to go, scored an equaliser in the 90th minute with an assist from India winger Anirudh Thapa. As a result of the draw, the Chennai-based franchise dropped to second in the table behind Abahani Dhaka who currently lead the pack by a goal's advantage after the game against Manang Marshyangadi.

In the 11th minute of the match, Minerva lost its goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh in the 11th minute after he suffered a nasty collision against C.K. Vineeth in a one-on-one challenge. The Punjab custodian was taken away to a hospital in an ambulance to be given immediate medical attention.