Oman Vs India Ratings: Lack of imagination makes for India's downfall

The Blue Tigers are still without their first win in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Round two.

The cash between Oman-India was a battle for survival for the Blue Tigers. In the event, India's quest to reach the showpiece FIFA World Cup 2022 event in Qatar came to a stumbling halt after they suffered a disappointing 0-1 defeat against Oman on Tuesday night. A lone first half strike from attacker Mohsin Al-Ghassani was enough to tip the match in the Reds’ favour. Although, India put up a decent fight in the second 45, they were unable to gain control of the game at any point.

Here are the player ratings from Tuesday night's game in Muscat:-

India

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu- 6.5

The Indian shot-stopper charged in an attempt to prevent the Omani goal, but the striker’s finish was too clinical for him to stop. Made a couple of good saves and cleared the ball well from set-pieces.

Nishu Kumar- 5.5

Struggled against the constant Omani pressure in the opening half, but did a better job in the latter stages. Couldn’t influence the team’s attacking ambitions, as he was consistently pegged back by the Oman attackers.

Rahul Bheke- 5.0

Came off in the second half to be replaced by Sarthak Golui, as Igor Stimac attempted to make the Indian core a little more structured. He couldn’t deal with the Omani striker’s pressure in the first 45.

Adil Khan- 5.0

Struggled over the course of the match. Took a nasty looking blow in the first half and came off after he received treatment as well.

Ashique Kuruniyan- 4.5

Was operating out of unfamiliar territory again and struggled to have any impact going forward. Although, he was trying hard, the Oman defence neutralized any threat that he could’ve posed in the second half.

Brandon Fernandes- 5.5

Possibly India’s best player on the pitch for the second game running. The FC Goa midfielder maintained possession well in the* second half and made a couple of key passes in the Omani final third as well.

Pronay Halder- 4.0

The defensive midfielder’s struggles with India continued against Oman, as he was substituted for young Vinit Rai in the first half. Didn’t have the impact he would’ve hoped for.

Udanta Singh- 5.5

The winger, just as he usually does, tried to get forward and run at the Omani defence at every opportunity he got, but struggled with the final delivery. Played the whole fixture without creating a proper chance.

Sunil Chhetri- 5.5

The India captain struggled to get up with the pace of the game against Oman in the first half, but gradually began to have an impact in the second period. Created a couple of decent chances in the latter stages of the fixture as well.

Farukh Choudhary- 5.5

Wasn’t able to create too much going forward because the Omani full-back kept him out of any dangerous positions for most of the game. Couldn’t create any clear chances in the second period either.

Manvir Singh- 5.0

The Indian striker showed why the coach placed trust in him for small periods in the game, but couldn’t produce a sustained period of attacking pressure. Needs to do a better job of holding the ball up in the final third.

Substitutions

Vinit Rai- 5.0

The youngster was definitely better on the pitch than Pronay Halder, but couldn’t have too much of an influence in the second half. Had a couple of decent touches in midfield, to maintain possession as India’s moved forward.

Anas Edathodika- 5.0

The Malayali defender came on in the first half in place of the injured Adil Khan and put up a reasonably good display in the heart of the defence.

Sarthak Golui- 5.0

Came on in place of Rahul Bheke at centre-half in the second period. More of the same from the defender, as he struggled off the ball like the rest of the Indian players.

Oman

Ali Al-Habsi- 7.0

Considering that the Oman international is an experienced Premier League veteran, he had a fairly quiet night against India in front of goal. Made a couple of decent saves.

Al-Mukhaini- 6.5

The defender wasn’t able to get forward quite as much as he would’ve liked in the second half, but held his ground in his defensive third.

Al-Hidi- 7.0

Didn’t allow the Indian attackers any space in the final third and limited them to very few opportunities. Positioned himself very well on set-pieces.

Musalami- 7.0

Like his central defensive partner, did well to stop the Indian surge in the second half and wasn’t overly troubled for the entirety of the match.

Ali Busaidi- 6.5

Struggled to get forward and maintain possession in the second half, but did his defensive duties up to par. Could’ve done better to block a couple of Udanta’s crosses.

Harib Saadi- 7.0

Maintained possession well in the first half with some deft touches and neat short passes, but lost control of the ball in the second half.

Ahmed Mahajri- 7.0

A lot like his midfield compatriot, he did well on the ball in the first period, but once India began to take control, struggled to keep the ball.

Al-Ghafri- 6.5

The attacking-midfielder wasn’t able to come into the game quite as much as he would’ve liked, mainly because of India’s defensive cover.

Mohsin Al-Khaldi- 7.5

Played in the hole just behind the main striker and linked up well with him in the first half. Did well to get to a couple of knockdowns.

Mundhir Alawi- 7.0

Played well down the left flank and delivered some powerful driving crosses into the box. Came out looking tired in the second half though.

Mohsin Ghassani- 7.5

Stepped up when it mattered most and did well to slot the ball past the monstrous Gurpreet Sandhu in the first half. Could’ve got another goal before that as well.

Substitutions

Arshad Alawi- 6.0

The winger came on in the second half, but didn’t have too much of an impact.

Zahir Al-Aghbari- N/A

Didn’t have the time to make an impact.

Aziz Muqbali- N/A

Couldn’t influence the match quite the way he would’ve wanted.