World Cup Qualifier: Chhetri's stunner not enough as India go down fighting to Oman

Bengaluru: Sunil Chhetri scored a wonder goal and Robin Singh had another one ruled out for offside as India went down fighting 1-2 against Oman in their World Cup 2018 Preliminary Joint Qualification match at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Stephen Constantine handed defenders Lalchhuanmawia, Dhanachandra Singh, Rino Anto and midfielder Sehnaj Singh debuts as he went for a faster, stronger and more youthful eleven than we’ve seen under former coach Wim Koevermans. Saityasen Singh also got to make his debut at the end with 15 minutes left on the clock. [caption id=“attachment_2281926” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File picture of Sunil Chhetri. AFP[/caption] The new back-four — of which only skipper Arnab Mondal had played earlier for the country’s senior team — conceded within 30 seconds as Qasim Said broke through the left channel and slipped it between goalkeeper Subrata Paul’s legs to end a swift passing move which left the players shaking their heads. However, India reacted to the goal with more urgent pressing, quicker passing and sending more men forward in search of an equaliser. This led to open spaces down the wings for Oman to exploit and they almost punished India for their gung-ho approach, forcing Paul to make two brilliant saves to keep the team from capitulating in the opening quarter. The Salgaocar and Mumbai City FC goalkeeper first tipped over a freekick from Mohsin Al Khaldi and then rushed forward to block Saad Al Mukhaini’s shot from close range. But India found their rhythm after seeing off the initial storm with midfielders Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Sehnaj Singh linking well to provide more meat for Chhetri and Robin to feed off. It was in one such move that Chhetri, capitalised on a poor defensive clearance, found himslef a yard, turned brilliantly and sent a screamer off his left foot towards Ali Al-Habsi’s right which went in and off the far post. Oman certainly seemed taken aback by the quality of the strike and India enjoyed a spell of dominance until Dhanachandra clumsily bundled over Eid Al-Farsi in the box. It was more a result of India’s frustration at losing one-on-ones with Oman’s fleet-footed attackers — a recurring theme throughout the match. Imad Al Hosni had to retake his penalty after scoring the first attempt — and he slotted in his second take with equal composure to give Oman the lead in the 38th minute. The visitors started the second half with a fizzing shot from Qasim Said which just went past the post. India pressed hard but Oman never looked like giving the lead away as they cut off supply to Chhetri and Robin — forcing the two attackers to drop deep often. Oman were happy to let India play the ball around without any menace — their only route seeming to be from the long ball which didn’t come off too well either. There were two moments in the second half that defined the match — one when Oman excessively passed the ball in the box only to hit their shot over. It looked beautiful but India’s defence had struck an understanding by that point. With multiple chances coming down the channels for Oman, they should have finished the game off comfortably. The big moment of the night was when India worked a superb corner down the right — a four-pass move which saw Robin stick a leg to score from close range only to be adjudged offside by the linesman. Replays showed the final touch might have come from the defender but Robin was interfering with the play nonetheless and the decision by the linesman proved to be correct, if controversial. This was a match of one team which can pass, move and beat markers against another which pressed and looked for a more direct route to goal. The former prevailed tonight, but India showed that they are no pushovers. India will now play Guam on 16 June — a team which upset Turkmenistan 1-0 in their first match of the qualifying group. India must take advantage of the unlikely result by beating a team which is 33 places below them in the FIFA Rankings. And if they play like they did against Oman, then there’s every reason to believe that the men in blue will open their points quota.