Thousands cheered an emotional Chhetri as he was given a guard of honour on leaving the pitch, bringing to a close an international career which put him among the world's all-time leading scorers.

Nearly 59,000 fans in Kolkata came to see their captain in an India shirt for the last time in a 0-0 draw against Kuwait - a remarkable turnout in a country where football comes a distant second to cricket in popularity. The 39-year-old scored 94 goals over nearly two decades for India, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo, Iran's retired Ali Daei and Lionel Messi in the all-time international scorers' list.

South Korea secured the top spot in Asia Group C and passage to the final qualifying stage in latest interim coach Kim Do-hoon's first match in charge. Jurgen Klinsmann left in February after failing to win the Asian Cup and Under-23 coach Hwang Sun-hong oversaw a draw and a victory against Thailand in March.

Joo Min-kyu, Bae Jun-ho and Hwang Hee-chan were also on the scoresheet. Next up for Son's side on June 11 is a home game in Seoul against China, who need a point to clinch the second qualifying place after Branko Ivankovic's side drew 1-1 at home to Thailand in Shenyang. Indonesia would have guaranteed their progress from Group F with a win against already qualified Iraq.

But they slumped to a 2-0 defeat in Jakarta, finishing the game with 10 men after Jordi Amat was red carded as Iraq made it five wins out of five. Vietnam lie one point behind Indonesia in the fight for the second qualifying spot after a thrilling 3-2 win over the Philippines. Kevin Ingreso thought he had rescued a draw for the Philippines when he made it 2-2 in the 89th minute in Hanoi.

But in the fifth minute of added time Pham Tuan Hai bagged the winner to keep his side's hopes alive of making the final round of qualifying. Vietnam travel to Iraq while Indonesia host the Philippines in their final group games on Tuesday. Bayern Munich-bound teenager Nestory Irankunda made his debut for Australia in Group I as the Socceroos also made it five wins from five matches with a 2-0 win against Bangladesh in Dhaka.

Irankunda was born in a refugee camp in Tanzania after his parents escaped fighting in their native Burundi and will move to Germany next season. The 18-year-old winger had a hand in the first goal in the 29th minute when his short pass found Ajdin Hrustic to lash home from long range. Kusini Yengi headed the second after half-time.

Already qualified Japan cruised past Myanmar 5-0 in Yangon. Keito Nakamura and Ritsu Doan scored in the first half for Hajime Moriyasu's side, before Koki Ogawa grabbed a double and Nakamura added another after the break.

India's Chhetri waved goodbye to football as the fourth highest International goalscorer ever. AFP

'Things you can't replace'

Chhetri is a sporting icon in cricket-mad India. The diminutive striker, who is 1.7 metres tall (5ft 7in), made his debut against fierce rivals Pakistan in 2005 and scored India's only goal. He hit a hat-trick against Tajikistan to help India qualify for the Asian Cup for the first time in 27 years in 2011. "He had his debut, started scoring goals and never stopped," India coach Igor Stimac said after Thusday's match.

"Pushing others when it's difficult, lifting them up - these are the things that you can't replace." Chhetri had two brief but unsuccessful spells in Portugal and the United States, but has spent most of his career in India. He currently plays for Bengaluru. In 2009 he was offered a contract by London club Queens Park Rangers, in England's second tier, but he could not get a work permit.

India are second in Group A, behind already qualified Qatar and a point ahead of Afghanistan and Kuwait, with the top two advancing. India play Qatar in Doha on Tuesday while Kuwait host Afghanistan in the final round of group games.

S. Chhetri

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