India Go Down Fighting Against Oman at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Oman made a late comeback to defeat India 2-1 in the opening Group E match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup Joint-Qualifiers at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium here today.

The Blue Tigers’ talismanic skipper Sunil Chhetri opened the scoring, but Oman made their comeback in the last 10 minutes, when Al-Mandhar Al Alawi struck a brace to win the match for the away side.

Backed with 22 thousand crowed at the gallery India got the early start that they were looking for with Ashique Kuruniyan running his legs off in the attacking midfield position.

The early pressure by the Blue Tigers soon paid the dividends, as Ashique was brought down on the left flank by Abdulaziz Al Gheilani, who went into the books for the mis-timed tackle.

It was a combination of Brandon Fernandes and Sunil Chhetri from the resulting free-kick, as they worked-out a set-piece straight from the training ground. Brandon drilled it in hard and low for Chhetri, who lost his marker and planted the sweetest of left-footers into the bottom corner.

Oman, who are ahead in FIFA ranking then India, tried to make come back into the game in the second half. Their job was made easy as Igor Stimac’s boys applied a much more cautious approach after the change of ends.

Oman got both the goals in the last 10 minutes, when Al-Mandhar Al Alawi scored two to win it for his team. For their first goal, Al-Mandhar was played into the India box via a lofted through ball, as the attacker dinked it over Gurpreet to equalise.

The 24-year-old struck the winner on last minute of regulation time, as he cut in from the left and rifled his shot into the back of the net.

During the post match press conference Indian coach Igor Stimac said that lack of experience was the cause behind the defeat. “We have gifted both the goals to Oman. I warned my boys that they are allowing the opponent players to stay ahead of them when Oman was going for attack. But unfortunately we failed to rectify the mistake. Oman didn’t able to score in the match if we played keeping the ball in our possession.”

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