Three goals in six minutes, edge-of-the-seat action and, in the end, a thrilling Indian victory.

Around 40,000 fans at Salt Lake Stadium were witness to drama on Saturday evening as India stayed on course to top Group D of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers after a 2-1 win over Afghanistan.

Much of the game had been a tense battle until captain Sunil Chhetri put India ahead in the 86th minute with a delightful free-kick. But Zubayr Amiri’s header silenced the boisterous crowd soon after.

Sahal Abdul Samad, who came in place of Chhetri in the 89th minute, had other ideas. The Kerala Blasters midfielder coolly slipped it in past a diving Faisal Ahmed Hamidi to trigger wild celebrations in the Indian camp.

They had every reason to do so. After all, a team notorious for leaking goals in the last 15 minutes of a match had just bucked the trend.

India now have to beat Hong Kong, who got the better of Cambodia 3-0 earlier in the day, on Tuesday and that would be enough to qualify for the Asian Cup.

They could also earn a berth if they lose, but will have to depend on the results of the other five qualifying groups. India and Hong Kong are both on six points.

Only the six group winners are guaranteed to advance to the finals, where they will be joined by the five runners-up with the best records at the end of qualifying.

“It’s a great feeling winning in front of such a fantastic crowd,” Chhetri said after the match. “One of the highlights of my career,” a candid Sahal exulted.

There was tension after the match when the Afghans, upset by the way the last few minutes had unfolded, tried to have a “chit-chat” with some Indian players and soon punches were flying from all sides. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu whacked Amiri and got one back from a reserve player.

India knew that they needed three points to stay in contention after Hong Kong won but just could not break down the Afghan defence. The likes of Chhetri, Liston Colaco and Manvir Singh tried hard but the Afghans held firm.

Four minutes into the second half, India had a good chance. Ashique Kuruniyan swung in a cross to the far post. Manvir headed it down towards Chhetri, who could only manage a feeble header.

With four minutes remaining, Kuruniyan was brought down just outside the box. The crowd, sensing a goal, started chanting “India! India!”, And Chhetri obliged, curling it into the near post with a delightful right-footer. No fuss, no chest-thumping from the captain but the roar from the stands was deafening.

Within a minute came the equaliser, off a corner. An unmarked Amiri made the most of it. His powerful header beat Gurpreet at the near post. Silence descended on the ground but India did not lose heart.

The Afghanistan defence failed to clear the ball and Kuruniyan set up Sahal on the right who slotted the ball past Hamidi. The stadium erupted once again.