Substitute striker Ali Al Nono's 82nd minute header dashed India's hope as they went down 2-1 to Yemen in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup qualifying tournament in Sana on Wednesday.

It was India's sixth defeat in as many matches as they finished bottom of Group A.

After a goalless first half, N P Pradeep put India ahead in the 52nd minute.

But Nashwan Al Haggam scored the equaliser for Yemen in the 60th minute.

As the Indians looked set for their first points in the competition their hopes were dashed by Al Nono, who headed the winning goal eight minutes from time.

Japan and Saudi Arabia took the two qualifying spots from Group A for the 2007 Asian Cup finals.