India qualified for the quarter-finals of the AFC Challenge Cup when it played out a goalless draw with Chinese Taipei in their final Group A game in Chittagong, Bangladesh, on Wednesday.
India topped the group with five points, pipping their opponents on the basis of better goal difference.
Chinese Taipei made it to the next round as the second placed team in Group A.
The teams started on a cautious note with Chinese Taipei making the first move on goal in the fifth minute as Hung-Hsu Tai led a counter attack. His shot, however, was parried out by Indian custodian Paul Shilton.
The Taiwanese went close in the 23rd minute but midfielder Fu Hsiang Chang's chip sailed over the bar. At the other end, substitute Pachuau Lalawmpuia's shot on an N Pradeep cross went wide in the 34th minute.
In the second half, Shilton again made a brilliant save off a Wei-Lun Chuang shot in the 56th minute. For India, Ong Tshering Lepcha was off the mark in the dying minutes.
The match was not devoid of heated moments. Both teams were reduced to 10 men in the 71st minute when Indian midfielder Hamar Lalmalsawma and Chinese Taipei defender Yung-Jen Cheng were sent off after a scuffle over ball possession.
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