US-based players lift Guam over India in World Cup qualifier

Brandon McDonald, a Major League Soccer defender from 2007-13, scored the opening goal in the 37th minute, San Diego State sophomore Travis Nicklaw doubled the lead in the 62nd, and Guam upset visiting India 2-1 on Tuesday for its second straight win in the second round of Asian qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

In Guam's only previous attempt at World Cup qualifying, it was outscored 35-0 in losses to Iran and Tajikistan in November 2000 during qualifying for the 2002 tournament. Ranked 174th in the world, Guam opened 2018 qualifying last week with a 1-0 victory over Turkmenistan.

McDonald played for the Los Angeles Galaxy (2008), San Jose (2009-11), D.C. United (2011-13) and Real Sal Lake (2013) before signing with Sweden's Ljungskile.

Guam's starting lineup in Harmon also included Galaxy defender A.J. De La Garza and several players from the second-tier North American Soccer League and third-tier United Soccer League.

Guam (2-0) plays at Iran (0-0-1) on Sept. 3 in Asia Group D, which also includes Oman. The eight group winners and four best second-place teams advance to the third round.

Sunil Chhetri scored in the third minute of second-half stoppage time for 141st-ranked India (0-2).

Japan (0-0-1) was held to a 0-0 tie in Saitama by 154th-ranked Singapore (1-0-1) in Group E.

In Group G, South Korea defeated Myanmar 2-0 at Bangkok on goals by Lee Jae-sung and Son Heung-min. The game was moved to Thailand because of crowd violence in Yangon.