World Cup (Q): Madagascar fight back to beat Chad in thrilling encounter

Madagascar boosted their chances of their first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification with an emphatic 3-1 win against bottom placed Chad on Monday in qualifying action from Group I.

Madagascar’s quest to get quick goals prompted a tactic that pushed more men forward, forcing Chad to sit back into their own half for most of the first half.

The Chadians resorted to fast breaks which paid off in the 25th minute with a fast break on the right wing where right-back Yves Allarabaye raced to strike in the opener from Haroun Tchaouna’s perfect assist in the penalty area.

The opener for Chad injected life into the game with the Malagasy team pushing harder for the equalizer but the visitors remained disciplined.

The second half witnessed a firebrand attack by Madagascar which resulted in the equalizer in the 52nd minute when Warren Caddy blasted home from a poorly cleared ball by the Chadians.

The pressure from Madagascar was too much for Chad handle and in the end, Les Sao crumbled for the second time under the effort of Rayan Raveloson who headed home El Hadari Raheriniaina’s cross in the 68th minute to put the game at 2-1 for the Barea.

Chad missed a glorious opportunity to find the equalizer when Haroun Tchaouna blasted wide in the 80th minute. Substitute Amine Hiver was called to duty with a free kick in the 82nd minute but his effort was perfectly dealt with by Madagascar goalkeeper Geordan Dupire.

Madagascar held their guns into the final minutes, increasing the tally with a goal from substitute Hakim Abdallah. The match ended 3-1, pushing Madagascar into second spot in Group I on 16 points level with Ghana.

Ghana are now faced with a pressure-packed situation against Mali in match day 8 at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday September 8. Comoros sit third on 15 points after eight matches with Mali on 12 points.

Group I Table

1. Ghana- 16 points (7 matches played)
2. Madagascar- 16 points (8 matches)
3. Comoros- 15 points (8 matches)
4. Mali- 12 points (7 matches)
5. Central African Republic- 5 points (8 matches)
6. Chad- 1 point (8 matches)

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