From correspondents in Delhi, India, 02:33 AM IST

New Delhi, Aug 13 (1ANS) Sunil Chhetri fired a hat-trick, as the Indian soccer team qualified for the Asia Cup after a 24-year gap with a fluent 4-1 victory over Tajikistan in the AFC Challenge Cup final here Wednesday.

The nippy Chhetri found the target in the ninth, 24th and - minutes, while skipper Bhaichung Bhutia struck the other goal in the 19th minute, sending the around 13,000 spectators in the Ambedkar stadium into a frenzy..

Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev pulled one back for Tajikistan in the 4th minute.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)