India ended their campaign in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers with a creditable 1-1 draw with Yemen at Sana'a on Wednesday.

It gave India its first point in the competition after five defeats in Group 'A'.

The result, however, was immaterial in the larger picture as defending champions Japan [Images] and Saudi Arabia had already booked their places in the main event, to be held in South-east Asia next year.

Japan defeated the Saudis 3-1 in the other match of the group at Sapporo.

After a goalless first period at the Ali Mohsen Stadium, India took the lead in the 52nd minute through Mahindra United defender N P Pradeep.

When it seemed that the South Asian champions would hold on for their first victory of the campaign, substitute striker Ali Al Nono, who also scored when the two sides met in Delhi in March, headed home with eight minutes left to play to break Indian hearts.

Nevertheless, it was an impressive result for India as coach Bob Houghton had taken a team largely comprising under-23 players, with an eye on the Doha Asian Games, starting later this month.

India had gone down 0-3 to Yemen at the Ambedkar Stadium when they put out a senior side, and the result hastened the end of Syed Nayeemuddin's third term as national coach.

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