India, Yemen in 3-3 draw

India suffered another setback in their World Cup campaign when they were held to a 3-3 draw by Yemen in an Asian Zone Group 8 football qualifying match in Sa'ana, Yemen, on Friday night.

Playing without their inspirational captain Baichung Bhutia, the visitors twice fought back from a goal in arrears in the first half.

After the teams shared four goals (2-2) at the end of the first half, acting captain I M Vijayan gave India the lead in the sixth minute of the second half. However, Yemen equalised in the 62nd minute much to the delight of the 30,000 home crowd.

Yemen drew first blood in the 14th minute through Adel al-Salemi from a penalty kick and India equalised three minutes later through Jo Paul Ancheri.

Adel gave Yemen the lead again in the 20th minute only to see the Indians catch up in the 39th through Khalid Ahmed Jamil.

India came back strongly from the breather and took the lead for the first time in the match within six minutes when I M Vijay scored. However their joy was shortlived as Adel scored again for the home side to complete a fine hat-trick.

India's previous game with Yemen, in Bangalore, last month had ended in a 1-1 draw.

India, who lost 0-1 to UAE in the last match, now have five points from their four matches having won one, drawn two and lost one. They have two games against Brunei left.

Yemen are sitting atop the Group 8 table with eight points from four matches followed by UAE on six points from three matches.

UAE play Brunei later on Friday night.