Player Ratings: Anwar Ali, Jhingan stand firm in resolute India performance against Lebanon

The Blue Tigers had chances to score, but had to be sharp defensively to shut out their opponents.

India were held to a 0-0 draw by Lebanon in their final group game of the 2023 Hero Intercontinental Cup at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar on Thursday, June 15. Both teams had their share of chances, with India fluffing a few major ones.

Anirudh Thapa missed a chance from open-range in the first half, before Rahim Ali missed a huge one-v-one chance towards the end of the game - which ended up being an eventful goalless draw ahead of these two teams’ clash in the final on Sunday. Here are the Player Ratings for the game.

India Ratings (by Uttiyo Sarkar)

Amrinder Singh – 7.0

Singh was quite alert in his goal and popped up some impressive saves to frustrate the visitors. Moved the ball forward well and was quite proactive, as he keeps the pressure on Gurpreet for the no.1 spot.

Nikhil Poojary – 6.5

Poojary was restricted to a lot of defensive work, but didn’t buckle under pressure. Did a good job to neutralize Lebanon’s flow through his side and came up with key challenges to avert trouble.

Anwar Ali – 7.5

Ali was very composed at the back and read the game impressively to cut out danger. Often came up with key clearances and blocks, covering for Sandesh well and maintaining a sturdy backline. 

Sandesh Jhingan – 8.0

The starting India captain was a commander in his ide, maintaining a strict defensive line to frustrate Lebanon. Won a lot of key duels and made a brilliant goal-saving block to deny a big chance in the first half. Played a big role in helping India keep their third-straight clean sheet. 

Akash Mishra – 5.5

Mishra was a livewire in moving the ball forward, but lacked the final third accuracy. Got too aggressive defensively and was troubled by Lebanon’s clever wing-play.  Stimac will probably need him to keep his temper in check for the final.

Jeakson Singh – 7.5

Jeakson stood in front of the backline and cut out danger really smartly, making some key interceptions and clearances. Pressed the Lebanon players well and restricted their supply to the middle, cutting down their lack of scoring options.

Anirudh Thapa – 6.5

Thapa had a bad start to the game, as he missed an absolute sitter early on. Did well with his set-piece delivery and helping out defensively and created a huge chance to send Ali through on goal late, only to see him waste the big chance.

Sahal Abdul Samad – 6.5

Sahal covered a lot of distance (7.7km) for India, working his socks off to contribute on both sides. Helped keep up energy levels and tried creating a few chances that didn’t work out.

Udanta Singh – 5.5

Udanta put in a lot of hard work on the left and got into some promising areas with his clever off-the-ball movement. However, he failed to create anything major and lucked out in the final third.

Lallianzuala Chhangte – 7.0

Chhangte tormented the Lebanon defenders with his tricky movement, often dancing past them into promising areas. Sought out Thapa for a huge chance early on and created a few other half-chances too.

Ashique Kuruniyan – 6.0

Started as a false no.9 in his first appearance in the tournament. Linked up well with teammates and carried the ball forward nicely on occasions, but unable to really test the keeper.

Substitutes

Rahim Ali – 4.0

Ali did well with the link-up play and his off-the-ball run, but fluffed his line in the final third. Was sent through on goal late on, but produced an awful finish to waste a huge scoring chance.

Naorem Mahesh Singh – 5.5

Mahesh added more energy and incisiveness by smartly carrying the ball forward, but his final delivery was awry on the night.

Sunil Chhetri – N/R

Chhetri came on with little time left and tried asserting himself in the attack. Missed a relatively difficult chance late on, but you’d expect him to score that. 

Rahul Bheke – N/R

Bheke had an energetic cameo and restricted Lebanon’s attacks in the last few minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FRLB0S0KQc

Lebanon Player Ratings (By Yash Pratap Singh)

Mohammad El Hayek - 8.0

Ali Sabeh - 8.0

The keeper was tested by India’s frontline on numerous occasions and he stood tall always. He came off his line at times to deny India an opening. Ali Sabeh displayed his heroics under the bar and made sure his side didn't concede.

The left-back was on the top of his game throughout the game. Despite the smart moves from the Indian attackers he maintained his shape at all times and kept a check on whoever came in his way.

Hussein Zein - 8.0

He played a major role in Lebanon’s backline. He brought his A game to the table and did not let anything pass by him. Zein made overlapping runs and also put in a few crosses into the box to trouble the Indian backline.

Hassan Maatouk - 8.5

The Skipper was responsible for executing the dead ball situations for his side. He delivered quite a few good deliveries into the box, but his teammates couldn’t provide the final touches. Maatouk showed his footwork and experience and tested the Indian defenders.

Hassan Saad - 8.0

Made important contributions on either ends of the pitch. Saad made a late run into the box and tested Amrinder with a perfectly timed and placed header. He even made important defensive contributions everytime his team needed him.

Karim Darwich - 7.5

Made threatening runs into India’s box and always kept India’s defenders on their toes. He combined well with Hassan Maatouk many times and created goal scoring chances. He was undoubtedly one of Lebanon’s best players on the pitch.

Nader Matar - 7.0

Was key in the middle of the park for the away side as he executed a few important key passes into the box. He complimented his midfield partners very well but was taken off in the second half.

Walid Shour - 8.0

He did very well to deny the Indian attackers an opening with his perfectly timed challenges and blocks on multiple occasions. Shour was ever present to keep a check on the Indian attackers with his commendable game reading skills.

Jihad Ayoub 7.5

Made an important block to deny Chhangte an opening from a dead ball situation. Ayoub alongside his partner Shour were solid as a unit. His performance at the back was a big reason behind Lebanon keeping a clean sheet.

Zein Al Abidine Farran - 9.0

He gave a tough and challenging time to Akash Mishra with his tricky and swift footwork. He also tried his luck by taking shots on goal and even tested the keeper a few times. He worked his socks off and caused India a lot of problems on the right flank.

Ali Tneichn - 7.5

He was a mainstay in the middle of the park for Lebanon. He made a few tactical fouls and got himself booked in the process. Ali Tneich won the ball in the midfield and initiated attacks for his side.

Substitutes

Mahdi Zein - 7.0

Zein came on in the 76th minute to replace Hassan Saad in the middle. He played a crucial key pass to Darwish which he failed to convert in the dying stages of the game.

Mouhammed-Ali Dhaini - 7.5

He came on in the second half to replace Nader Matar. The midfielder hit the ground running and put up a good performance in the midfield for Lebanon. He won both aerial and ground duels and played his part well.

Ali Al Haj - 7.0

He came on to replace Darwich who had a great game, but couldn’t find the back of the net. He had a crucial chance to get all three points for his side, but his delayed finishing and brilliant defending by India neutralized his attempt.

Hassan Kourani - NA

Kourani came in as a replacement for Ali Tneich in the final moments of the game. He couldn’t make much of an impact.