A back pass by Qatari defender Khaled Muftah and an error of judgement by goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb gave India the much needed lead in the 53rd minute but attacking midfielder Mohamed Salah El Neel dashed all hopes by scoring the equaliser in the 74th minute.
Having lost the away leg 1-3, India had to win the home tie 2-0 and had only themselves to blame for not being able to convert the chances that came their way here at the Balewadi Sports Complex. Midfielder Lalrindika Ralte missed a penalty in the 18th while strikers Jeje Lalpeklua and C.S. Sabeeth were completely off-target.
Jeje, who gave India the surprise lead in Doha, came close to open the scoring as early as in the sixth minute but his powerless shot didn't disturb Al Sheeb. The India striker opened up another scoring opportunity after his shot from the edge of the box kissed the hands of defender Murad Naji and referee didn't hesitate at pointing towards the hot-spot in the 18th minute. Lalrindika stepped up to take the shot but Al Sheeb made an excellent save to deny India the opportunity to take a lead.
Qatari strikers Khaled Muftah and Al Ansari prised open the Indian defence with their sharp, runs but defenders Raju Gaekwad, Abhishek Das and Arnab Mondal stood to their task successfully.
India lacked well-planned moves in the first 30 minutes and depended too much on the dead ball situation. Raju, known as a throw specialist, did well to the get the ball in the box but the strikers couldn't capitalise on his well directed long throw-ins. Jewel Raja also got to swerve the ball well from a free-kick in the 36th minute but not enough to beat the goalkeeper.
The home team dished out a better performance in the second-half and went ahead within eight minutes of start after Muftah made a needless back pass and Al Sheeb failed to get to the ball. Inspired with the surprise lead, Indians launched a wave of attacks and 12 minutes later India almost came close to double their lead, but Jeje couldn't get it past the goalkeeper despite being set-up with an excellent pass by Jewel.
A defensive lapse by the Indians allowed Qatar to equalise in the 74th minute after a completely unmarked El Neel volleyed home a lob from Fadhl Omar.
India coach Desmond Bulpin substituted Saabeeth and Das with strikers Mandeep Singh and Jagtar Singh in the but the winning goal remained elusive.