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Plenty of new faces in the Indian football team as the side prepares to face a tough test against Oman in a friendly at the Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai. Head coach Igor Stimac’s team has an average age of just over 24 with many youngsters making their way to the national team after impressive performance in the Indian Super League. The team, however, will be missing their captain Sunil Chhetri as he’s recovering from COVID-19. Stimac said he has told the players to express themselves and play free and fearless football. “We wanted to give them the experience of playing stronger teams, that will give them more confidence and fearlessness in future. I have told them there should not be any pressure on them,” Stimac said ahead of the match. “We are not obsessed with results.” Talking about Oman, Stimac said, “I have seen their match against Jordan. They are a really physical side, well organised and really patient. We also have worked hard and we expect a good game tomorrow.” Oman are coming into Thursday’s match after playing out a goalless draw with Jordan on Saturday. After Thursday’s match, India will play UAE in their second friendly, which is scheduled on Monday, 29 March. Indian squad: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Dheeraj Singh, Ashutosh Mehta, Akash Mishra, Pritam Kotal, Sandesh Jhingan, Chinglensana Singh, Adil Khan, Mandar Rao Dessai, Mashoor Shereef, Rowllin Borges, Lalengmawia, Jeakson Singh, Raynier Fernandes, Anirudh Thapa, Bipin Singh, Yasir Mohammad, Suresh Singh, Halicharan Narzary, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Ashique Kuruniyan, Manvir Singh, Ishan Pandita, Hitesh Sharma, Liston Colaco. With inputs from PTI
India vs Oman, Match Highlights: Manvir Singh's equaliser sees India grind out draw under immense pressure
Catch the LIVE score and updates from the friendly match between India and Oman
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That’s it from us folks!
What looked like it was shaping up to be a chastening defeat actually turned in to a pretty memorable draw thanks to a second-half headed goal from Manvir Singh. Tune back in on 29 March as we bring you all the latest updates from India’s second international friendly, a match against the United Arab Emirates! Until then, goodbye and goodnight!
FT | India 1 – 1 Oman
FULL TIME! INDIA AND OMAN SHARE THE SPOILS!
India began the game very tentatively and were lucky to be just a goal behind at the break. Post the restart, the Blue Tigers were a lot more adventurous and constantly attacked down both flanks. Just before the hour mark, they were rewarded when Manvir Singh got on the end of Bipin Singh’s cross and restored parity. After drawing level, India defended a lot better, with Chinglensana Singh pulling off a couple of incredible blocks and interceptions. The substitutes, including Apuia also adjusted to the tempo well and ensured that the Blue Tigers came away from the game with a draw, despite being the second-best outfit for large swathes of the encounter.
Additionally, the result might have massive significance for Igor Stimac as he looks to ingrain his philosophy on the side. While there were a couple of shaky moments, he would largely be impressed by the way his side fought back and played braver football in the second half. Furthermore, considering that India were playing international football after 15 months, one feels Stimac might not be too displeased with the outcome
90+2’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
Oman launch a long throw into the box. However, India deal with it relatively well. Oman fashion themselves a crossing opportunity on the left flank but the Indian defenders are adept enough to head the ball away to safety!
90’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
Oman launch the corner deep into Indian territory. Al Aghbari gets on the end of it but in the process of controlling it, handles the ball, meaning that India have a bit of respite as the clock ticks down
A minimum of two minutes to be added on!
89’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
India squander possession inside their own half and that is a massive mistake, considering most of the players are tiring. Oman try to prize open the Indian defence but encounter a huge block of Indian players as they only manage to get a corner for their efforts
87’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
Ashutosh barges into an Oman player on the right flank and gives away an unnecessary free-kick. Oman crowd the Indian penalty box but fail to reap the rewards as the delivery is straight into the midriff of the Indian keeper. No damage done!
85’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
India give the ball away inside their own half. How many times have we said that today, eh? Oman, courtesy Al Kaabi make the most of it and fashion a crossing opportunity. The initial cross comes to nothing but Oman recycle the ball and feed their striker in the inside right channel. The forward sets himself up and then lashes a shot well over the bar
83’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
Manvir collects the ball on the right flank and looks to pick out Yasir as the latter makes a late run towards the box. However, the ball is a little loose and Oman regain possession
80’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
Oman foray down the right flank again and fire a low cross towards the front post, where Chinglensana intercepts and sets in motion a counter attack. The move stagnates a little and in the end, comes to nothing as Oman get a throw in, deep inside their own half
78’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
Latest change for India! Lallianzuala Chhangte comes on! He replaces Akash Mishra
78’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
Mohammed Yasir gets himself into the scheme of things and sweeps the ball out to Manvir on the right flank. The forward comes inside and finds Ashutosh, who unfortunately for India, can only clip a wayward cross into the box. Missed opening for India!
76’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
Oman tiptoe their way into another crossing position on the right flank. Yet again, Chinglensana is excellently positioned as he clears the ball into touch. Corner for Oman
76’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
Ashique shows incredible pace to dribble past a couple of defenders in midfield. He then bites off a little more than he can chew, meaning that the Oman defenders crowd him out and take the ball off him
75’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
Oman create space for Al Harthi on the right flank and get him into a crossing situation. He lines up his cross but smashes it way beyond the goal and into the running track. Not his best effort today!
74’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
Oman attack down the right flan and Al Harthi tries to waltz his way past a couple of defenders. However, he is stopped in the nick of time on the edge of the box by Akash and Chinglensana
71’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
Apuia wins the ball in midfield and strides away from his marker. He then feeds Bipin on the left who passes it infield towards Suresh. He then spreads the play onto the opposite flank. Ashutosh hauls it towards Manvir, who gets a snap shot away but doesn’t really trouble the Oman keeper
70’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
Oman come forward after some brisk passing in the middle third. They try to play a one-two on the inside right channel but Suresh sees it all the way as the ball bobbles towards Amrinder. Good tracking by Suresh!
69’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
ENORMOUS BLOCK BY CHINGLENSANA! India give the ball away in their own half, with Ashutosh being guilty on this occasion. Oman stride forward and find Maqbali on the edge of the box, who pulls the trigger first time. Chinglensana is in the right position though and gets his body in the way
67’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
Suresh wins the ball back in midfield and tries to spring a fast break. However, his ball to Mishra is a little wayward as India are forced to retreat. They then try to work the ball down the right but the Oman defenders clear the danger easily
65’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
Oman continue to press down the left flank. They get the better of the covering midfielder and play the ball infield towards Abdlghafar, who tries to set up Al Mashaani on the right channel but sees his pass cut out by Akash Mishra
63’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
India commit another foul in their own half. With the Oman players playing a one-two, Apuia can’t resist the temptation to stick his foot into it, with him also being shown a booking for his troubles. Oman have a free kick 25 yards from goal. Quite centrally too
Take a bow Manvir!
61’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
Oman have picked up their intensity after going behind and only a late intervention from Ashutosh prevents them from taking the lead again. They have a corner on the left, which is played short but Suresh is in the right position at the right time in the box to clear the danger
54’ | India 1 – 1 Oman
MANVIR SINGH PUTS INDIA BACK ON LEVEL TERMS WITH A WONDERFUL HEADED FINISH! The attacker is fed in by Bipin Singh, who did really well to swivel and send in a dangerous cross that is headed home from close range.
49’ | India 0 – 1 Oman
Bipin steals the ball on the right flank and immediately finds Raynier who is positioned centrally. The two MCFC players try a one-two but the return ball is too heavy as is rolls out of play. Goal kick to Oman
48’ | India 0 – 1 Oman
India begin the second half positively and construct an attack down the leg flank. There is no clear-cut opening though, meaning that they have to go backwards. At least, they are maintaining possession better!
47 | India 0 – 1 Oman
Oman kick us off for the second half and launch the ball forward almost immediately. The pass is a little wayward though as it bounces out of bounds and India have an early throw-in
46’ | India 0 – 1 Oman
SUBSTITUTION UPDATE! India make a couple of changes at the break. Apuia and Raynier Fernandes replace Rowllin Borges and Jeakson Singh
HT | India 0 – 1 Oman
Additionally, India have looked very tentative in possession and have barely managed to stitch together any passes – something that has only allowed Oman to tighten the screw. In fact, it would not be an overstatement to suggest that the Indians are lucky to be just a goal behind at half time. Stimac might have plenty to ponder and might have to make changes (both tactically and in terms of personnel) to change the tide of this contest.
HT | India 0 – 1 Oman
Oman go into the break just a goal ahead, despite the plethora of openings they created. Their full backs have been a menace and India just haven’t been able to cope
45’ | India 0 – 1 Oman
Oman’s left back has thoroughly enjoyed himself in this half and again, he gains a corner for his side. Abdlghafar takes the set piece and lunches the ball towards the back post, where Al Harthi keeps the ball in play. However, Oman can’t create a shooting chance as India force them to retreat into their own half. A minimum of one minute of added time!
42’ | India 0 – 1 Oman
GOAL FOR OMAN! Chinglensana PUTS THROUGH HIS OWN NET!
Oman rage forward on the left flank and a neat one-two passage puts Al Aghbari in a good crossing position on the byline. He drills a cross into the six-yard box, where Chinglensana, while attempting to clear it, can only manage to scuff the ball into his own net off of goalkeeper Amrinder Singh.
Well, that’s just great, isn’t it?
39’ | India 0 – 0 Oman
Oman are knocking the ball around with real confidence and the Indian players are looking tired now. Oman though, are content to keep possession and wait for the ideal opportunity to break through the lines
37’ | India 0 – 0 Oman
India are gifted a free kick on the left, just inside the Oman half. They take it quickly and work the ball down the left, where Ashique gets the ball stuck under his feet, meaning that he is easily dispossessed. Oman spring a counter-attack and move through the gears. They thread the ball through the midfield lines and set up a shooting chance for Maqbali, who sees his shot charged down by Ashutosh
34’ | India 0 – 0 Oman
Suresh wins the ball in midfield and muscles his way into the attacking third. He then feeds Bipin on the left flank, who tries to cut inside his marker but fails as a rare Indian attack comes to nothing.
32’ | India 0 – 0 Oman
Oman get themselves into yet another crossing situation on the right flank. Al Harthi lifts a deep cross towards the onrushing players on the other flank but Al Maqbali is just a little too eager as he commits a needless foul. That should relieve a bit of pressure, as far as India are concerned!
31’ | India 0 – 0 Oman
Rowllin intercepts a loose pass in midfield and passes the ball to Suresh. However, India go backwards and ping the ball towards their keeper, who shanks his clearance and boots the ball into touch. Oman attack again!
29’ | India 0 – 0 Oman
Oman show plenty of attacking adventure and foray down the left. The full back then finds Maqbali in the box, who tiptoes past a couple of challenges and plays the ball to the full back. He then lobs a cross into the box that just evades Abdlghafar