The Indian team on Tuesday bowed out of the AFC Asian Cup with a narrow 0-1 loss against Syria in their last group match. The match saw both teams go all out to secure the third place in the group. After holding the Syrians out for long, India finally conceded in the second half to leave no chance for the Blue Tigers to qualify as the third placed team. Syria, on the other hand, put themselves in quite a good position to qualify into the knockouts courtesy of the win. Let’s look at the 5 talking points from the India vs Syria match.
Mahesh Singh Naorem’s miss at the start
Mahesh Singh Naorem had a wonderful chance at the start of the game but failed to put the ball on the back of the net. Sunil Chhetri moved the ball from the midfield to the right side where Manvir Singh was waiting. Manvir teed up for a cross but went for a simple ground pass to an unmarked Mahesh inside the Syria box. Mahesh dribbled past two defenders and found himself one on one with Syrian goalkeeper Ibrahim Alma. However, Naorem’s chip shot was saved by Alma. Had the chance gone it, it could have been a very different game.
Finishing woes
This problem has been persistent for India throughout the tournament. India have failed to score a single goal in three group matches, conceding six in the process. Sunil Chhetri had a forgettable tournament, failing to convert simple chances. Manvir Singh also looked a shadow of his former self in the tournament, failing to get into goal scoring positions. The Indian full-backs were awful throughout the tournament as well, with only Subhashish Bose, who played in the last game, having a decent outing.
Invisible midfield
The Indian midfield was non-existent throughout the tournament and it was no different in the match against Syria. Indian coach Igor Stimac tried different combinations in the tournament in the heart of the pitch, but the Indian team could never control games. Deepak Tangri and Apuia had a game to forget on Tuesday, losing balls and letting their Syrian counterparts control the game.
Stimac unsure of right combination
Indian coach Igor Stimac made a series of errors throughout the tournament. Deepak Tangri had a stellar game against Australia but found himself in the bench against Uzbekistan. Indian fullbacks Nikhil Poojary and Akash Mishra were poor to say the least, but Mohun Bagan Super Giant skipper Subhashish Bose wasn’t given a look in till the final group game. Liston Colaco didn’t start a single game in spite of the regular wingers not doing too much in the tournament. Mahesh Singh Naorem on Tuesday was subbed off in the second half spite of being one of the best players on the pitch in the first. Stimac could have handled his team better.
Sandesh Jhingan’s injury
Sandesh Jhingan was a towering presence in the heart of the Indian defence in the first half on Tuesday. He suffered an injury during the latter stages of the half, but carried on. However, he could not carry on after taking the field in the second half, forcing Stimac to take him off. Had Jhingan been there, maybe India would have dealt with the phrase of play better where Syria scored the winner.
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