Ashique Escapes
56’ Al-Ghassani has gone down after taking an elbow from Ashique. The referee has missed an incident that perhaps deserved a card.
Highlights | Oman Beat India 1-0 in FIFA World Cup Qualifier
The first half goal from Muhsen Al-Ghassani proved the difference as Oman football team beat Indian football team in their FIFA World Cup qualifier match in Muscat. Get highlights and analysis of the Oman vs India FIFA World Cup qualifier match below.
Indian football team’s Ashique Kuruniyan vies for the ball with Saad Al Mukhaini of Oman during their FIFA World Cup qualifier match in Muscat. Get highlights and analysis of the Oman vs India FIFA World Cup qualifier match below.
Oman beat Indian football team 1-0 through a strike from Muhsen Al-Ghassani in their FIFA World Cup qualifier match at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat on November 19. Al-Ghassani finished from a brilliant through pass from the dangerous Al Mandhar as Oman went into the half time break with a 1-0 lead. Things could have been much worse for India had Al-Ghassani converted from the spot earlier in the match. Igor Stimac has more things to worry though thanks to two forced substitutions -- injury ending Adil Khan and Pronay Halder´s outing. Sunil Chhetri was invisible right though the first half with no one to provide balls to the talismanic striker. India did came back stronger in the second half but was unable to break open the Omani defense and score. (Get highlights and analysis of the Oman vs India FIFA World Cup qualifier match below).
Five Talking Points at Full Time
1. When Chhetri is not involved in the game, despite being on the pitch for the full 90, it’s clear that something is not right. Whether it was the formation, the movement or Oman’s defence, India’s most potent threat was nullified both as goal-getter as well as linkman/creator.
2. There are glimpses of India being able to change the plan. In the second half today they played longer balls, out to the wings, and pressed higher. Though there was no real impact, at least the change of plans put some pressure on the home side and forced them to give away possession in their defensive third, on occasion. However, pumping the ball up and hoping for the best is never going to be enough.
3. Ashique Kuruniyan was India’s standout player today. Both club and country need to do as much as possible to look after him physically and help him grow into the game. Not only did he and Farukh do well defensively on India’s left flank, but they also provided come decent attacking attempts in the second half.
4. If we are really building a team for the 2026 World Cup, we need not bother trying. But if the focus is on the 2023 Asian Cup, younger players need to start more games and see more games through. This is a dare to Stimac to leave Chhetri on the bench for the next fixture.
5. Injuries. Clearly playing fewer games, and a short domestic season, is not helping. India have a bank of about 35 players who make turn out for the senior squad. The think tank needs to work out how to keep these guys fit. If Chhetri, at 35 or so the oldest in the squad, it is entirely possible younger players can do the same.
Highlights of the match below:
Live blog
The Long Route
58’ The game has descended into a long ball punt contest. India put together a few passes in Oman’s half and then Brandon tries to play Farukh through,but the pass it too far ahead and Al Habsi comes off his line and gathers.
Oman Look Complacent
59’ Ashique drifts in down the left and crosses a ball towards the penalty spot. Oman clear but don’t do it very convincingly. Manvir and Chhetri were both lurking and close to winning that ball. Oman are looking a bit lacklustre. Overconfidence? Laziness? Boredom?
Momentary Numerical Advantage for India
60’ An Omani player is off the pitch for the moment and India have a man advantage. Perhaps an opportunity to do something now.
Said Comes in for Mubarak
62’ Arshad Said comes on for Mohamed Mubarak. Oman have XI on the pitch again.
Bad Foul by Anas
63’ Anas concedes a freekick 25 yards out to the right of India’s goal. That was a blatant elbow to Al-Ghassani’s face and the referee has missed that. He is lucky to not be carded.
Mohsin Al Khaldi takes it and shoots at Gurpreet’s left corner. The big lad has to dive and tip that past the post. Corner for Oman. It is cleared for another.
Corners Galore for Oman
65´ The second corner is played to the far post and the attacker plays it back into the penalty area. Half cleared it goes wide on the wing, before Farukh clears. Another corner. Al Musalami gets his head to it at the far post but its a tame one and Gurpreet takes it gratefully.
Al Saadi Gets Yellow Card
67’ Harib Al Saadi is awarded a yellow card for a foul from behind on Udanta. There was no needed for that. Udanta was going nowhere. Brandon drifts it to the far post and India scrappily try to get an attempt on goal. Lots of headers going nowhere, lofted in the air before Oman clear.
Golui Replaces Bheke
68’ Stimac makes his final sub. It is not an attacking change. Sarthak Golui replaces Rahul Bheke.
Bad Refereeing
69’ Chhetri plays Udanta through with a superb through ball on the flank. Udanta drifts into the box, fakes a cross and then eventually puts one in. It is cleared by Oman, but lands straight back at Udanta. The linesman flags for offside!!! That is a ridiculous decision. The ball came off the opposition defender.
Farukh Blocks Al Mandhar
70’ Al Khaldi finds Al Mandhar with a superb crossfield ball. Al Mandhar turns, beats Nishu, but is forced off the ball by Farukh. Ashique and Farukh make one great left back.
Indian Using the Flanks to Attack
72’ India’s approach has shifted visibly in the last 15 minutes. They seem to have suddenly realised that their wings have nitro to burn and Oman’s wingbacks are looking leggy. Lots of balls being played to the flanks now. Most of them to Udanta.
Ashique Thwart Oman Attack
74’ Oman launch another quickfire offensive, again from their right, but Ashique clears the danger.
A Late Equaliser on Cards?
75’ Just a reminder: India have scored equalisers in the dying minutes in their two previous games.
India Miss Freekick
76’ Freekick for India in a Brandon Fernades pet position. Manvir holds a pass up and forces Al Musalami into a foul. It is to the right at the top corner of the box. Lots of Indians in the box. But Brandon goes for power and drills it far and wide away from the far post. That was horrible. He caught that too well.
#StimacOut Trending
That came fast!
Word
We'll nick a 93rd min equaliser and boast about the unbeaten run. #OMAIND
— Priyavarshini (@priyavarsini) November 19, 2019
Oman Clears
82’ Farukh wriggles into some space on the left and gets a cross in. No one there, and Oman clear comfortably. Surprisingly India have had more possession….
Gurpreet Blocks Point Black Shot
83’ As that was being typed Oman launch a counter. Al Mandhar dances away from Golui and releases Al Busaidi into space on the left in the box. From a narrow angle the winger has a shot and Gurpreet, casual as you like tips it away for a corner. On the replay though it shows that Al Busaidi hit it almost straight at Gurpreet.
Ashique Wins a Corner
85’ We are nearing Fergie time. And Oman haven’t yet put India away. So there is still hope. Almost on call, Ashique wins a corner. Can Brandon do it for the third game on the trot?
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