India vs Qatar Highlights: Indian team is without the services of Sunil Chhetri. (Source: Twitter/@IndianFootball)2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Highlights: India stole a crucial away point after taking on the Asian champions Qatar in their second qualifying match for 2022 FIFA World Cup in Doha on Tuesday.
Having lost to Oman 2-1 in Guwahati, after conceding two late goals, India manager Igor Stimac fielded a cautious team and managed to hold their fort till the last second. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made numerous crucial saves, putting in a captain’s performance in the absence of Sunil Chhetri. Sandesh Jhingan, Adil Khan and Udanta Singh put in commendable shifts too.
Onwards and upwards!
Jeje's wishes
All-round performance!
Unbelievable India!
Chhetri lauds
FT: QAT 0-0 IND
A million chances in the injury time, but India stand strong and tall in Doha and they have claimed a brilliant away point against the Asian champions!
Substitution for India
Narender Gehlot comes on for Anirudh Thapa.
Into injury time
Four minutes have been added as injury time.
OFFSIDE!
Hassan's cross find Ali, but the Qatar striker is offside. India hanging on for a crucial away point.
SAVE!
Hassan's shot is saved by Gurpreet yet again, and the rebound hits the woodwork! India is saved yet again by their captain.
SO CLOSE!
Udanta Singh runs and runs and runs, tricks Hassan and teams up with Thapa, finds himself in spae, but his left-footed curler is just above the bar. So close for India for taking a surprise lead!
SAVE!
And a second after the change, Gurpreet is brought back into action, whose extended fingers keep Qatar out yet again. India have shown glimpses whilst attacking, but without Gurpreet they would have been easily couple of goals down.
Change for India
Vinit Rai comes in for Sahal Abdul Samad.
Qatar attacking again
Twelfth corner of the game for Qatar, after a move between Al-Haydos and Hassan breaks down. But yet again, nothing came from it. India in the final stages of the match.
Substitution for India
Brandon Fernandes comes on for Nikhil Poojary.
Sahal comes close
From Thapa's corner, Sahal scuffs an almighty chance from near the penalty box. So so close for India. Still goalless, this game.
Free kick for India
Manvir and Udanta team up well, as India threaten the Qatar defence, and Udanta earns a free kick after being brought down by Hassan. Mandar over the it on the right flank, and it's a corner for India as the free kick is well cleared by a header.
Free kick for Qatar
Just over an hour now, and India have done well to hold their fort against the Asian champions. But they have conceded a free kick, Mandar with a wrongly-timed tackle. Abdul karim Hassan hits the wall. No danger.
Booking for Madibo
Gurpreet saves Al-Haydos free kick and Sahal collects the ball and tries to break, but Madibo takes a mad swipe at him and brings the youngster down. Madibo shown a yellow card.
Booking for Borges
Rowllin Borges brings down Al-Haydos just outside the penalty box, and it's a yellow for him. Free kick for Qatar.
Adil blocks
What a block by Adil Khan in the heart of the penalty box! Inch perfect as he stops Qatar from going ahead. Everything is happening now!
Udanta comes close
First real chance for India, as Udanta Singh flies through the right side of India's flank troubling defenders and forcing Al Sheeb to extend his arms. Just wide though.
SAVE!
Normal serves have resumed, as Al-Haydos has found himself in free space again! And he finds Yusuf again, but Gurpreet is there to intercept.
Kickoff!
The second half resumes! Same story in the second half, or will the hosts find the breakthrough?
In elite company
India join the likes of South Korea, Iraq, Brazil, Colombia and Argentina among the sides against whom Qatar have failed to score in the first-half in 2019.
Half Time!
First half ends right after Qatar miss another glorious opportunity as a low cross is not tapped in by anyone, as Almoez Ali is visibly disappointed at himself. India have been lucky in the last few minutes, but their defence has been solid in parts, while captain Gurpreet has been the best player on the pitch alongside Qatari captain, Hassan Al-Haydos.
SAVE! SAVE!
One handed save from Gurpreet to stop a thunderbolt! And another from Almoez Ali's quick snapshot! The Indian shot-stopper has been immense once again!
India defensively sound
In 35 minutes, Qatar were already up by four goals against Afghanistan. India, on the other hand, have done well to keep them at bay, but they need to change things up ahead if they are to snatch a goal at Doha.
SAVE!
Gurpreet played to the whistle and saved a big, big chance by Yusuf! Almoez Ali made space for himself with good holdup up play and feeds the right winger, and the Indian goalkeeper's legs come to the rescue. The lineman raises his flag though.
30 minutes of Qatar dominance
Another shot from distance, then another and then Almoez's pocket is picket by Jhingan well. It's all Qatar, Qatar and Qatar. But India are doing their part to hold their fort and patiently wait for a chance. Half-an-hour gone, still goalless.
SITTER!
Qatar would rue that chance, as they miss a glorious opportunity to go one ahead. Al-Haydos corner finds a lone Boualem, and he heads it wide. India breathes.
Booking for Gurpreet
For time-wasting just halfway through the first half, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is shown a yellow card for taking too long to take a goal kick.
SAVE!
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu's fingertips to the rescue! What a save from Al-Haydos dipping shot from distance. Third corner for Qatar.
One-sided affair
Chance after chance for the hosts so far. Al-Haydos has looked deadly with the ball at his feet, and their midfield is pinging regular balls inside the India penalty box. They even got a second corner, but nothing came to pass. The only development from the India camp is that Anirudh Thapa was down with a slight knock, but he is up and running.
Qatar comes close again
Qatar moving the ball around ever so nicely, and Abdul Aziz tries to curl, and he was so close. Gurpreet was rooted to his spot. India need to turn things around in the centre of the park to assert control.
SAVE!
Qatar again on the break from the left wing, and Gurpreet keeps out Al-Haydos's shot. Corner for Qatar, and nothing comes from it as it is overhit.
Qatar menacing
India go on the break with the help of Udanta, but Poojary is outpaced by the Qatar right-back. And within seconds, they turn it into a chance with Al-Haydos getting a shot on target from the left wing. Gurpreet saves.
All Qatar so far
It has been all Qatar so far in the opening five minutes with them looking to find spaces in the Indian defense. The dangerous Almoez Ali has been brought into play couple of times already. India looking wary of their threat.
Kickoff!
The whistle blows and the action begins, with the Maroons up against the Blue Tigers! Can Manvir Singh shoulder the responsibility upfront? Can Gurpreet Singh Sandhu be in top form again? Let's find out!
Qatar lineup