Sunil Chhetri’s late goal broke Myanmar hearts as India progressed to the final of the AFC Challenge Cup in dramatic fashion.

Chhetri, who spurned numerous chances throughout the game, finally made his opportunities count in the 81^st minute when he controlled skipper Baichung Bhutia’s inswinging cross with his head before nodding hit home past Myanmar custodian Aung Aung Oo to send the Indians through to the showpiece final against defending champions Tajikistan.

With the match being played in torrential downpour, it was India who nearly drew first blood in the second minute but captain Bhutia could only register his shot straight towards goalkeeper Aung Oo.

Myanmar soon replied with an effort by Soe Myat Min who beat his marker Samir Naik but his superb curler was excellently tipped away by India custodian Subrata Pal.

On 39 minutes, Chhetri nearly made it 1-0 when he powerfully headed an effort from a free-kick by Naik before crumbling under a challenge by Aung Oo but Myanmar defender Khin Maung Lwin scrambled the ball away to safety.

The profligacy of Chhetri was once again exposed five minutes before the interval when faced one-on-one with goalie Aung Oo, the striker failed to keep his composure and fired wide off the mark.

The second half saw a flurry of missed chances but Myanmar nearly stunned their Indian counterparts when Yan Paing saw a full-blooded shot from close range rebound off defender Anwar Ali, and soon after, Tun Tun Win shot over after being set up by Lwin.

However, with India continuing to control amidst the pouring rain, the Myanmar rearguard continued to hold firm but Chhetri’s header late into the match settled the tie at the Gachibowlin Stadium.

India coach Bob Houghton praised his side's determintion to grind out a result despite the less than favourable conditions.

"You can't say much of the technical aspects of this game, but what you can say is that we showed a great will to win," Houghton said.

"In the first half, it was difficult because we had the worst half of the field to defend.

"But then the rain changed everything and it became impossible everywhere.”

"What I did say to them at half-time was that we had the worst of the field,” he added.

“It was extremely difficult to get the ball out. But in the second half the rain evened it out."

Despite the match being a scrappy affair, Houghton insisted the best team won on the night.

"We dominated the second half and we deserved to win," he added.

"You would like a game to be decided by football, by technical quality and this game wasn't decided by technical quality.

"Nobody can be happy with that."