Catch the LIVE score and updates from the friendly match between India and Oman
Indian football team during a training session. Image Courtesy: Twitter @IndianFootball
49' | India 0 - 1 Oman
Bipin steals the ball on the right flank and immediately finds Raynier who is positioned centrally. The two MCFC players try a one-two but the return ball is too heavy as is rolls out of play. Goal kick to Oman
48' | India 0 - 1 Oman
India begin the second half positively and construct an attack down the leg flank. There is no clear-cut opening though, meaning that they have to go backwards. At least, they are maintaining possession better!
47 | India 0 - 1 Oman
Oman kick us off for the second half and launch the ball forward almost immediately. The pass is a little wayward though as it bounces out of bounds and India have an early throw-in
46' | India 0 - 1 Oman
SUBSTITUTION UPDATE! India make a couple of changes at the break. Apuia and Raynier Fernandes replace Rowllin Borges and Jeakson Singh
HT | India 0 - 1 Oman
Additionally, India have looked very tentative in possession and have barely managed to stitch together any passes - something that has only allowed Oman to tighten the screw. In fact, it would not be an overstatement to suggest that the Indians are lucky to be just a goal behind at half time. Stimac might have plenty to ponder and might have to make changes (both tactically and in terms of personnel) to change the tide of this contest.
HT | India 0 - 1 Oman
Oman go into the break just a goal ahead, despite the plethora of openings they created. Their full backs have been a menace and India just haven't been able to cope
45' | India 0 - 1 Oman
Oman's left back has thoroughly enjoyed himself in this half and again, he gains a corner for his side. Abdlghafar takes the set piece and lunches the ball towards the back post, where Al Harthi keeps the ball in play. However, Oman can't create a shooting chance as India force them to retreat into their own half. A minimum of one minute of added time!
42' | India 0 - 1 Oman
GOAL FOR OMAN! Chinglensana PUTS THROUGH HIS OWN NET!
Oman rage forward on the left flank and a neat one-two passage puts Al Aghbari in a good crossing position on the byline. He drills a cross into the six-yard box, where Chinglensana, while attempting to clear it, can only manage to scuff the ball into his own net off of goalkeeper Amrinder Singh.
Well, that's just great, isn't it?
.@EurosportIN update. #IndianFootball ⚽ #BackTheBlue 💙 #INDOMA ⚔️ #BlueTigers 🐯 pic.twitter.com/w2ZArgyOuV
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 25, 2021
39' | India 0 - 0 Oman
Oman are knocking the ball around with real confidence and the Indian players are looking tired now. Oman though, are content to keep possession and wait for the ideal opportunity to break through the lines
Plenty of new faces in the Indian football team as the side prepares to face a tough test against Oman in a friendly at the Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.
Head coach Igor Stimac's team has an average age of just over 24 with many youngsters making their way to the national team after impressive performance in the Indian Super League. The team, however, will be missing their captain Sunil Chhetri as he's recovering from .
Stimac said he has told the players to express themselves and play free and fearless football.
"We wanted to give them the experience of playing stronger teams, that will give them more confidence and fearlessness in future. I have told them there should not be any pressure on them," Stimac said ahead of the match.
"We are not obsessed with results."
Talking about Oman, Stimac said, "I have seen their match against Jordan. They are a really physical side, well organised and really patient. We also have worked hard and we expect a good game tomorrow."
Oman are coming into Thursday's match after playing out a goalless draw with Jordan on Saturday.
After Thursday's match, India will play UAE in their second friendly, which is scheduled on Monday, 29 March.
Indian squad:
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Dheeraj Singh, Ashutosh Mehta, Akash Mishra, Pritam Kotal, Sandesh Jhingan, Chinglensana Singh, Adil Khan, Mandar Rao Dessai, Mashoor Shereef, Rowllin Borges, Lalengmawia, Jeakson Singh, Raynier Fernandes, Anirudh Thapa, Bipin Singh, Yasir Mohammad, Suresh Singh, Halicharan Narzary, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Ashique Kuruniyan, Manvir Singh, Ishan Pandita, Hitesh Sharma, Liston Colaco.
With inputs from PTI
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