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Preview: India face Oman in their first 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match in Guwahati on Thursday. This match would be coach Igor Stimac’s biggest test till date. Stimac did not have the best start as an Indian coach. India finished third in the King’s Cup followed by a disappointing display in the Intercontinental Cup at home. The task is going to get tougher as India embark on a new journey. Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu said the team has to play as a unit and without fear. “We have to play together as a team, and without fear. Getting off to a good start will be really important,” Sandhu said. “That’s what we do – we play to win. We will play to our strengths, and look to keep the opposition at bay. Hopefully, we can get off to a good start and pick up the maximum points to start off the qualifiers,” he added. The last encounter between Oman and India was a goalless draw in Abu Dhabi in a friendly game in December 2018. “Of course, it is good to keep in mind what happened when we last faced Oman. However, it is also important to focus on the job ahead of us. We need to make sure we put on a good show in front of our home crowd in Guwahati,” Sandhu said. The Blue Tigers attended a preparatory camp in Goa before playing facing Oman. The team has also played five international matches as the build-up to the tournament since head coach Igor Stimac took charge. “A lot has changed, we have a new squad, a new set of players and a different coach. On the pitch, we are trying to implement the style of play asked by the coach and put our best foot forward. Off the pitch, it has been pretty much the same, which is a good thing as you want to continue the good things that have been happening off the field,” Sandhu said. “Oman are a good team and have very talented players. The whole team is looking forward to playing against them. Personally, I would miss Ali al Habsi. Our friendship goes back a long way, and watching him play was always a good sight,” he added. Here’s all you need to know about when and where to watch the India vs Oman match: With inputs from ANI
India vs Oman, Highlights, FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifier Football Match: Al Mandhar scores twice as Oman beat hosts
Catch the live score and updates from the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifier between India and Oman in Guwahati on Thursday.
 "India vs Oman, Highlights, FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifier Football Match: Al Mandhar scores twice as Oman beat hosts")
It’s a difficult result to take for Igor Stimac and the Indian football team. They were leading for most part of the match but Al Mandhar snatched the victory with two sublime finishes. India, as Stimac said, deserved at least a point from the match. Football can give you unlimited joy but can also be cruel at times.
Much difficult task ahead for India as they travel to Qatar to play 2022 World Cup hosts on 10 September.
Hope you’ve enjoyed the coverage of the match. See you soon!
Full-time, INDIA 1-2 OMAN
Al Mandhar the hero of the match. Scores two superb goals to turn the match around for Oman. They are still unbeaten under Erwin Koeman. India did try their best but it’s not enough.
90’ INDIA 1-2 OMAN
GOAAAL!
Al Mandhar with a wonderful dribble and strike to score Oman’s second goal of the match. Three minutes of added time left.
86’ INDIA 1-1 OMAN
Brilliant block from Sandesh Jhingan. The Indian defender covers good ground and dives to make sure Oman don’t score their second.
83’ INDIA 1-1 OMAN
And India almost get the second goal. Good ball from Udanta to Chhangte on the left, but the winger fails to convert the chance.
82’ INDIA 1-1 OMAN
GOAAAL!
Oman get the equaliser. Al Mandhar makes a superb run and beats Gurpreet with a fine finish.
78’ INDIA 1-0 OMAN
Well, India make their second change. Manvir comes in to replace Ashique in the attack.
75’ INDIA 1-0 OMAN
India are playing on the counter. But with just one man in the attack – Ashique – they are finding it difficult to break the defence. Stimac, despite making an attacking change, still concentrating on the defence.
73’ INDIA 1-0 OMAN
Another solid save from Gurpreet to deny Oman and Rahul Bheke clears away the danger. The Indian goalkeeper has been terrific so far in the match.
72’ INDIA 1-0 OMAN
If the result stay the same then Stimac would’ve pulled off a terrific win, which will boost their qualification chances for the third round of the AFC Asian Cup. Oman trying their best but India holding on.
67’ INDIA 1-0 OMAN
Yellow card is shown to India’s Sandesh Jhingan. The hosts are holding on to a slender lead. Even Oman players are looking tired, but they can’t afford to take rest.
65’ INDIA 1-0 OMAN
The match gone bit end-to-end stuff. India winning the balls and attacking quickly while Oman are also pushing for the equaliser.
60’ INDIA 1-0 OMAN
India’s Rowllin Borges is shown yellow for a bad tackle. But he has at his best today. Pressing and winning the balls.
58’ INDIA 1-0 OMAN
Well, India might make the change here. Chhangte is getting ready to come in. His pace will certainly help the team. He replaces Brandon Fernandes in the midfield.
54’ INDIA 1-0 OMAN
Err, almost an own goal for Anirudh Thapa. He tries to clear the ball inside the box but hits it straight to Gurpreet. The Indian goalkeeper does well to push the ball away.
52’ INDIA 1-0 OMAN
Oman are dominating the possession. India should make sure they don’t allow too much time on the ball and the concentration levels should right up there.
48’ INDIA 1-0 OMAN
As expected, Oman quickly on the attack. They force two early corner but nothing comes out of them.
45’ INDIA 1-0 OMAN
The second-half is underway in Guwahati. Sunil Chhetri’s goal is the difference between both the teams so far. One change for Oman. Al Ghassani replaces Saleh.
INDIA 1-0 OMAN
Hopefully, the team will not just sit back and defend, like they would do it in the Constantine era. Stimac has a good bench strength with the likes of Chhangte and Sahal raring to go and make an impact. One more goal for India and they can really think about taking all the points. Oman will come hard, especially in the early stages of the second-half.
Half-time, INDIA 1-0 OMAN
End of the first 45 minutes. Igor Stimac will be a happy man but he knows the job’s not done yet. Captain fantastic Sunil Chhetri score his 72nd goal of his international career to ensure India take the lead in the match. Oman will have a lot of thinking to do. Their defence is not up to the mark and both Chhetri and Ashique ran rampant giving them a lot of headaches.
43’ INDIA 1-0 OMAN
Chance for Oman. A good header by Al Mahaijri but the Indian goalkeeper Gurpreeti Singh Sandhu pulls off a good save to deny Oman the equaliser.
38’ INDIA 1-0 OMAN
India look more dogged after scoring the first goal. They are concentrating on the defence, but will aim to attack on the break. There’s actually no need to change their gameplan. They should stick to pressing and attack.
35’ INDIA 1-0 OMAN
India’s midfield is putting a good shift in the midfield. They are winning the balls with their pressing. Anirudh and Rowllin are maintaining high intensity. Oman are lacking ideas in the attack.
31’ INDIA 1-0 OMAN
Oman’s defending to that goal has to be questioned, They simply failed to mark Chhetri and looked shocked when the striker netted the goal. Stimac will be very happy to go into the break with a 1-0 lead.
26’ INDIA 1-0 OMAN
India get a freekick after foul on Ashique near the box on the left. Chhetri finds space in the middle of the box and the delivery to him is perfect. The captain makes the run and unleashes a powerful left footer to beat Oman goalkeeper.
24’ INDIA 1-0 OMAN
GOAAAAL!
Sunil Chhetri with a solid finish to give India the lead in the match.
20’ INDIA 0-0 OMAN
Another chance for India from a corner. This time, Sandesh Jhingan wins the header but the ball is above and wide. India have upped the ante in the last five minutes.
19’ INDIA 0-0 OMAN
Sunil Chhetri was the man again providing the chances for India. He collected the ball and released Udanta quickly, but the winger should’ve done better.
15’ INDIA 0-0 OMAN
What a chance for India! Mistake from Oman goalkeeper and India almost scored the first goal of the match. Udanta Singh’s shot from a close range hit the bar.
13’ INDIA 0-0 OMAN
Right, the game has settled down a bit. Oman are keeping the ball and India have looked to break the defensive lines twice with long balls.The hosts have not hit a shot on target so far.
9’ INDIA 0-0 OMAN
First shot on the goal by Oman. Good final pass and the shot is taken well byy Al-Aziz but Gurpreet blocks it and then the defenders clear the danger. Oman now dominating the possession.
4’ INDIA 0-0 OMAN
First corner of the match and it belongs to India. But it was a bad delivery from Anirudh Thapa. He should’ve done better there as Oman clear the ball away with ease.
3’ INDIA 0-0 OMAN
Looks like captain Chhetri is playing as the lone striker and Ashique is just behind him. Few decent moves by the home team.
1’ INDIA 0-0 OMAN
So the national anthems and handshakes are done and we have a kick-off.
India start off the proceedings in the middle.
Here’s Oman’s starting XI:
Faiyz (GK), Raed, Abdulaziz, Saad, Al Mahaijri, Al Mandhar, Al Busaidi, Al Musallami, Salaah, Al Gheilani, Harib.
The teams are in!
Getting ready 🙌🏻 to rumble 🤜🏻💥🤛🏻! #INDOMA ⚔ #WCQ 🌏🏆 #BackTheBlue 💙 #IndianFootball ⚽ #BlueTigers 🐯 pic.twitter.com/4vBo0hqsJu
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) September 5, 2019
There’s no denying that Oman will pose plenty of problems to India and they obviously start as favourites. India’s chances will depend on their ability to frustrate their opponents and capitalise on the mistakes. A draw could be a good result for India, considering this is the first match of the qualifiers and Indian players lack the match practice, but clinching a victory is not an impossible target.
Read our preview of the match here .
So, bit surprising playing XI from Igor Stimac. Sahal Abdul Samad, Chhangte and Vinit Rai are all benched. Brandon Fernandes and Rowllin Borges start on the midfield. At the back, it will be Sandesh Jhingan, Rahul Bheke, Adil Khan and Subhasish Bose.
Caution seems to be the motive, at least till first-half. Sahal and Chhangte will probably come in the second-half to make impact.
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