Hyderabad, Oct 26: Substitute Jimmy Iraguha scored a brace as Rwanda came from behind to defeat Malaysia 2-1 and also book their place in the semifinal in the football competition of the inaugural Afro-Asian Games at the Goshamahal Stadium here today. Needing a victory to book a semifinal berth from Group A, both the teams started with a cautious approach. But Malaysia drew first blood when Mohd Amri Yahyah found the net in the 28th minute through a header off a cross from Ahmad Norafandy.
Rwanda, who went into the breather with a goal's deficit, came back strongly and almost found an equaliser in the 51st minute through Iraguha, who was ruled off-side. But the Africans kept the pressure and Iraguha levelled the scores in the 81st minute and found the net again a minute before full time, netting a cross from Sibomana to take his team into the semifinals.
India has already qualified for the semifinals from Group A while Uzbekistan has made the cut from Group B. The fourth semifinalist is yet to be decided.
A happy Rwandan coach Dujkovic Ratomir said he was satisfied with his team's performance and looked forward to the semifinals. Bureau Report