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I think we didn't keep the ball in the second half- Sunil Chhetri after Oman defeat

Published at :September 6, 2019 at 2:43 PM
Modified at :September 6, 2019 at 2:43 PM
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The Blue Tigers' talisman asseerted that the team has much work to do to cross the finish line.

Despite taking the lead after a resounding first half performance, India let the game slip away from their hands in Guwahati. Sunil Chhetri, who scored his 72nd international goal on the night found the defeat difficult to swallow given its manner, while the national team coach Igor Stimac admitted that it was a shame to lose to Oman that way in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier.

“It is difficult to swallow. I think we didn't keep the ball in the second half. It's not easy if we keep giving the ball to a team like Oman. That's something we need to work on. The boys fought really well," Chhetri said.

Igor Stimac believes his side deserved more for their efforts. "I was repeating at half-time 'don't let this go.' One silly mistake in the distance and it became two mistakes. We were punished. So late in the game to lose the points which could have given us points to fight for the second place," Stimac said.

"I think we deserved more, at least a point for the first half. We dominated the first half. We created many chances and could have killed the game in the first half. Not lucky with shots."

He said that he was left gutted by the final scoreline, as Al-Mandhar Rabia broke Indian hearts with his brace inside eight minutes at the very end.

India’s dominance in the first half couldn’t be stressed enough. They not only took the lead through Chhetri, but also had a shot come off the woodwork from Udanta Singh and had an easy header from Sandesh Jhingan go wide of the post.

"I hope whole India has new face of the national team. We have seen what we can do against a strong side like Oman. They showed quality and experience. They were little bit lucky. My players gave everything.

"We didn't have many options. We knew we will have problems after 70 minutes with Ashique's condition, who came after a long injury.

"We knew Sandhesh will face a problem with his injury. So, we will lose shape in the balance. We could not take out five and put another five," said Stimac who was part of the Croatian team that reached the semi-finals in the 1998 World Cup in France.

"It wasn't easy but after the first goal, we probably should have held the ball better. It was a good chance of playing at home: 1-0 at 70 minutes. We should have seen out the game," said Chhetri.

"There were some good individual performances. I think we gave the ball away too much (difference from the first half). The mentality probably set in that we had to hold the 1-0 lead."

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India will next travel to Doha to face World Cup hosts Qatar in their next qualifier on September 10, with Afghanistan and Bangladesh being the other two teams that make up Group E.

"It's probably the most difficult match, playing Qatar away in Doha. We are looking forward to it. Every match is going to be like this (Oman), there will be a fight, no matter who we play. We have to make sure we don't repeat the small mistakes that cost us three points today," said Chhetri.

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