Sunil Chhetri, Sahal Abdul Samad silver linings as India wilt to Tajikistan in Intercontinental Cup opener

The Blue Tigers put in two contrasting displays in each half over the 90 minutes.

The Indian football team opened their title defence at the Hero Intercontinental Cup 2019 on a losing note, as they went down by a scoreline of 2-4 against Tajikistan in a match played at the EKA Arena by TransStadia on Sunday evening.

In a game of two halves, the Indian players performed admirably in the first, playing decent counter-attacking football, which gave them a two-goal advantage going into the second 45. Little did they know, that the opponents would turn on the style after the break. Igor Stimac’s men were outplayed in all departments and lacked the physical adeptness of the Tajikistan team.

Here are the player ratings from India’s opening game:.

India

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu - 2.5 

Looked disinterested, slow off the blocks and conceded a terrible third goal that went right between his legs. Failed to communicate with his centre-backs and could not impose himself on the game at all. Cut a hapless figure and had no control over the box. Left a bad impression and may find his starting place in doubt for the upcoming matches.

Rahul Bheke - 4.0 

Showed good positional sense, but needs to be more careful while tackling and needs more accuracy with his crosses into the opposition box. His display was reflective of the whole team, as his second half performance undid his first half solidity. Fatigue started showing on the Bengaluru FC player, as the fresher substitutes from Tajikistan found spaces behind him.

Adil Khan - 4.0 

He lacked quality distribution while on the ball and gave away possession cheaply on various occasions. Only positives that can be taken away are that he was able to close down gaps effectively and was exceptionally good in winning air duels. However, his second half performance was of completely opposite nature, as he mistimed his tackles and could not track the forwards, leading to individual errors.

Narender Gahlot - 3.5 

The 18-year-old had a debut to forget, as he looked shaky and nervous while dealing with aerial balls and was outmuscled by the Tajikistan forwards many times. Moreover, individual errors like failing to deal with the incoming cross for the equaliser on the near post and poor marking cost India dearly. His lack of communication with Adil Khan was very visible on the night.

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Mandar Rao Dessai - 5.0 

The FC Goa full-back was having a good debut outing, but his error in the second half that led to the first goal for Tajikistan overshadowed an otherwise fine performance. He was substituted early in the second 45 after that due to a lack of fitness, which exposed India’s left flank.

Sahal Abdul Samad - 6.5 

A silver lining on an otherwise cloudy performance, he barely put a foot wrong and delivered an industrious display. His brilliant distribution and intricate one-two touch passing were sublime to watch. The 22-year-old’s vision was one of his finest assets, as he delivered pinpoint long balls on the night. However, he had to depart the game with a hamstring injury.

Anirudh Thapa - 6.0 

The Chennaiyin midfielder played as a brilliant pivot between the defence and attack and generated various counter-attacking opportunities in the first half. However, he failed to make a mark in the second 45 and was overrun by the solid Tajikistan midfield.

Amarjit Singh Kiyam - 6.0  

The 18-year-old played a decent first half and seldom put a foot wrong in the heart of the midfield. He provided good cover on the left to Mandar and showed good chemistry with fellow midfielders in Thapa and Sahal. Deserves to play the whole 90 minutes in the next fixture for the Blue Tigers.

Lallianzuala Chhangte - 4.5 

His highlight from the game was that he won the penalty early on that led to the opening goal. However, despite having blistering pace, his lack of ball control and immature errors played spoilsport on the night. The winger needs more finesse in the final third and has to be more composed on the ball.

Udanta Singh - 4.0 

Similar to his compatriot Chhangte, Udanta Singh lacked quality in the final third. His pace caused problems to the Tajikistan captain, Nazarov Akhtam, but the lack of confidence on the Indian’s part made it easier for him to be contained. Had a dismal second half and failed to make any positive mark on the game.

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Sunil Chhetri - 6.5

The captain fantastic scored a sublime panenka penalty and showed incredible composure for the second toe-poke goal. However, the Bengaluru striker missed a sitter for the hat-trick which could have turned the game in India’s favour. Moreover, he looked like an isolated figure in the latter stages of the game due to midfield dominance from the opposition.

Substitutions

Vinit Rai - 4.5

Could not contribute in attack and spent most of his time on the field chasing the ball around the park.

Jerry Lalrinzuala - 3.5 

Looked like lacking match fitness and could not stop crosses from his flank that led to two goals, the third and the fourth. Although, his tackle saved a fifth goal from going in on the 85th minute mark.

Rowlin Borges - 5.0 

He got a shot on goal as soon as he came on and tried to link-up with the attackers by distributing the ball to the wings. Needs more playing time to justify his talent.

Farukh Chowdhury - 4.5 

Did not get a long outing on the field and could not showcase much apart from a couple of passes and tackles in the midfield.

Jobby Justin - N/A 

Could not leave a lasting impression as he came on too late

Tajikistan

Rustam Yatimov - 5.0

Apart from the two goals he conceded, did not see much action in the second half, since the Indian forwards failed to challenge him.

Dzhalilov Iskandar - 4.5 

He gave away the penalty and dodged a yellow card for a dangerous lunge on Jerry in the second half. But, improved on his performance as the game progressed.

Asrorov Siyovush - 5.0 

The centre-back failed to mark Chhetri for the second goal, giving him enough space to finish from inside the box, but managed to silence the attackers from the host nation afterwards.

Tabrezi Davlatmir - 5.5 

The experienced center-back was at fault for the second goal as well, but showed calmness on the ball and maintained a better shape of the backline in the latter stages of the game.

Nazarov Akhtam - 6.0 

The captain was a calm agent and easily managed to contain the pacy Udanta Singh. A solid display overall.

Ilhomjon Barotov - 5.5 

He missed a sitter in the first half after finding himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and cut a frustrated figure and was reprimanded by team mates for his wayward shooting.

Rahimov Muhammadjon - 8.0 

The winger was the main attacking outlet throughout the game and scored the third goal by latching on to a loose ball in the opponent's final third. The Indian full-back found it difficult to track his runs behind the backline. He was also awarded the Hero of the Match for his impressive display.

Ehsoni Panshanbe - 7.5 

The midfielder made a string of passes in the opponent’s half but failed to penetrate the defence in the first-half. However, he did execute a fine through ball before the hour mark that resulted in the first goal and assisted yet another for the fourth goal.

Tursunov Komron - 6.0 

The attacker scored the opener by sneaking past both the stoppers of the opposition and slotted the rebound with good accuracy. Put in a sensational cross for the second goal.

Juraboev Amirbek - 5.5  

The midfielder was a constant threat but a few uncharacteristic errors led to turnovers in the first-half.

Boboev Sheriddin - 5.5  

The striker failed to make an impact and lacked intent in first-half. Latched on to a fine cross in the second-half for the leveller and looked more threatening in the second-half.

Substitutions

Zoir Dzhuraboev - 5.0 

Showed good composure on the ball and helped his side keep up the pressure in the second half, causing Indian defenders to make errors.

Nozim Babadzhanov - 5.5 

His pace caused problems for the opposition and helped his team win the midfield battle. He was a tough figure to deal with on several occasions.

Samiev Shahrom - 6.0

Scored the fourth goal of the night for his team after coming off the bench, thanks to good movement behind the defenders and poor marking by India.

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Otabek Karimov - N/A

Came on too late to make a difference