India flattered to deceive yet again as they conceded two goals late into the match to lose 2-1 to Oman in the FIFA World Cup Qualifier, at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.
India were leading 1-0 till the 82nd minute, thanks to Sunil Chhetri's strike in the 24th minute. But two goals from Rabia Alawi Al Mandhar—one in the 82nd minute and the other in the 90th minute—cancelled out Chhetri's first-half strike, and helped Oman come back from behind to beat India 2-1.
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It would have reminded the supporters of the Intercontinental Cup match against Tajikistan, when the 'Blue Tigers' were leading 2-0 at half-time, before conceding four goals in the second half. Even in the AFC Asian Cup, India had emphatically beat Thailand 4-1 in the first match, but lost their next two group matches against UAE and Bahrain 0−2 and 0−1 respectively to finish last in the group.
Oman pressed hard in the closing stages of the first half and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a great save in the 43rd minute, blocking a Ahmed Kano header in a one-to-one situation to keep India's lead intact. But India's defensive frailties once again came to the fore in the closing stages of the match.
India started brightly, with Ashique Kuruniyan threatening with his fast runs along the left wing. He was ably supported by the pacy Udanta Singh and Anirudh Thapa in the midfield. The first shot at the goal, however, came from Oman, when Abdulaziz tested India custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu with a stinging shot in the ninth minute.
India had a great chance in the 15th minute, when Chhetri released Udanata with a through ball down the right. But his shot from a tight angle rattled the crossbar.
India kept up the pressure, which finally produced the goal in the 24th minute. Ashique was fouled by Abdulaziz and Brandon Fernandes took the resultant free-kick just outside the box. He fed the ball to Chhetri, who made a delayed run into the box and was unmarked as he put the ball into the net to score his 72nd international goal for India.
India have faced Oman five times now in FIFA World Cup qualifiers and have never ended up on the winning side. Their only win (non-FIFA recognised match) came in 1994 when they won 4-1 in the 1994 Independence Cup.