India go Down Fighting Against Oman in 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

An inexperienced Indian football side gave a good fight before going down 2-1 against Oman in the home leg match of the 2018 World Cup Preliminary Qualification round here on Thursday.

Oman, ranked 40 places above India in the FIFA chart at 101, scored through Qasim Said (first minute) and Imad Al Hosani (40th, penalty) while Sunil Chhetri was on target for India with a superb goal in the 26th minute.

The 19,000-odd crowd at the Kanteerava Stadium thought that India had equalised in the 69th minute but to their dismay, the linesman ruled that Robin was offside.

CK Vineeth essayed a cross from the right towards Oman goal and defender Sallam Amur flicked the ball into his own net but the linesman thought that Robin was in off-side position before that.

India coach Stephen Constantine gave debut to four players, including three in the back four, and the inexperienced showed as the home side were in the back-foot from the beginning by conceding a goal in the first minute. Then, a debutant Dhanachandra Singh went for a reckless challenge on an Oman attacker to concede the decisive penalty.

In fact, the most experienced Indian players after the duo of Sunil Chhetri and goalkeeper Subrata Paul, who each have played more than 50 international matches, were captain Arnab Mondal and Robin Singh -- who each have donned India colours in 10-odd matches.

The fancied Oman dominated the match throughout with several shots at the Indian goal while the home side had just a couple of goal-bound attempts. The Indian backline were under severe pressure trying to fend incessant Oman attackers and the home side were lucky not to have lost the match by a bigger margin largely due to poor finishing by visiting team.

It did not take long for Oman to take the lead as Qasim Said put them ahead in less than 30 seconds into the match from the first goal-bound attack.

Goalkeeper Subrata Paul denied Oman another goal in the 10th minute as he tipped over a Al Khaldi freekick.

India's chances were few with higher-ranked Oman dominating the proceedings early on. But, star striker Chhetri rought India back into the match with a superb goal in the 26th minute to the celebration of home fans.

Chhetri, who has had an indifferent I-League season with just two goals, latched on to a weak clearance from an Oman defender following a Rino Anto throw in and unleashed a left footer from the top of the box which swerved and struck the post before hitting the net.

India, however, conceded the lead to Oman in the 40th minute with Dhanachandra going for a reckless challenge on Eid Mohammed inside the Indian box and the referee pointed to the dreaded spot.

Imad Al Hosani stepped up to send the ball to the wrong side of Paul in his second attempt after the referee ordered re-take as another Oman player entered the box before the first attempt. The second half did not produce any goals with Oman doing most of the attack. India had the best chance for an equaliser in the injury added time but Chhetri fell inside the Oman box after a challenge from opposition defender Al Mukhaini. The Indian striker thought that it was a penalty but the referee was not interested.

India travelled to Oman for their away match on June 16.

Chhetri later rued conceding an early goal and then giving away a penalty against a strong side like Oman.

"We conceded a goal in the first minute and then gave away a penalty. It's difficult to come back against a strong side like Oman after conceding these goals. It could have been 1-1 at the half-time and the result could have been different," he said.