After that shock defeat to Guam in June, Stephen Constantine might have been forgiven for breathing a little easier, ahead of the game against Nepal. The stakes were far lower this time – this was just a friendly. India were playing at home while their opponents Nepal were ranked 184 in the world and still recovering from the carnage of that horrific earthquake in April. They would prove easier opponents, right?
By the end of the game however, Constantine wore a thunderous expression. If he had any hair left on his head, he would have probably tore it out in frustration. Despite the odds stacked against them, Nepal played a courageous, gritty game and held out firm, leaving the Balewadi Stadium with a goalless draw. For a country still coming to terms with the damage of that terrible earthquake, this was an inspiring performance, worthy of the highest praise.
Indian strikers fail to take their chances
Conversely, for the Blue Tigers, it was a dispiriting performance, low on tempo and flair. They were unable to break the determined Gorkhalis down and on the rare times they did, failed to take their chances. The sole basis behind organizing this friendly was to ensure that India would get some match practice before their next game, a must-win World Cup qualifying fixture on September 8 against Asian powerhouses, Iran who are ranked 41 in the world, more than a hundred places above India. On the basis of this performance though, Iran will be licking their lips.
Constantine, though, can’t be faulted for not being aggressive. He started off with three strikers, handing out starts to Sunil Chhetri, Robin Singh and Jeje Lalpekhlua. The move would have paid off but for the profligacy of the strikers. In the 16th minute, Lalpekhlua decided to take a shot from 25 yards out and predictably sprayed it wide, when the better idea would have been to get closer to goal. Later around the 30th minute, the Nepal goalkeeper Kiran Kumar Limbu remained resolute in defence, making a series of saves to keep India out.
The chance of the match though came to Sunil Chhetri who fluffed his lines. As the first half was winding down, Eugeneson Lyngdown played an inch perfect pass from midfield, slicing through the Nepal defence to find Chhetri. One on one with the Nepalese goalkeeper and only eight yards out, Chhetri would probably fancy himself to bury it nine times out of ten. Chhetri sent the keeper the wrong way, but shockingly failed to even hit the target, wasting India’s best chance of the night.
Resolute Nepal hold firm
This remained the story of the match with India shooting from yards out. On the rare occasions that they did find their target, Limbu stood resolute. Nepal had few chances, but you could hardly blame them: they sat back, happy to let India keep possession. For them, the draw was as good as a victory and when the final whistle rang out, they went on a deserving victory lap.
The same can’t be said about the Blue Tigers. For the second consecutive time, India have been outshined by a team ranked far below them. This time, it’ll hurt a lot more, because it was at home. For all the hype and the glamour around the Indian Super League, there really doesn’t seem to be any pronounced effect on the actual performance of the Indian team on the international circuit. India had captured hearts with their never-say-die attitude despite the defeat against Oman in their very first World Cup qualifier and there were hopes that this was a new resurgent Indian team. Unfortunately, things seem to have gone back to where they started.
Let’s just hope it doesn’t get too painful when the Iranians come calling.
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By the end of the game however, Constantine wore a thunderous expression. If he had any hair left on his head, he would have probably tore it out in frustration. Despite the odds stacked against them, Nepal played a courageous, gritty game and held out firm, leaving the Balewadi Stadium with a goalless draw. For a country still coming to terms with the damage of that terrible earthquake, this was an inspiring performance, worthy of the highest praise.
Indian strikers fail to take their chances
Conversely, for the Blue Tigers, it was a dispiriting performance, low on tempo and flair. They were unable to break the determined Gorkhalis down and on the rare times they did, failed to take their chances. The sole basis behind organizing this friendly was to ensure that India would get some match practice before their next game, a must-win World Cup qualifying fixture on September 8 against Asian powerhouses, Iran who are ranked 41 in the world, more than a hundred places above India. On the basis of this performance though, Iran will be licking their lips.
Constantine, though, can’t be faulted for not being aggressive. He started off with three strikers, handing out starts to Sunil Chhetri, Robin Singh and Jeje Lalpekhlua. The move would have paid off but for the profligacy of the strikers. In the 16th minute, Lalpekhlua decided to take a shot from 25 yards out and predictably sprayed it wide, when the better idea would have been to get closer to goal. Later around the 30th minute, the Nepal goalkeeper Kiran Kumar Limbu remained resolute in defence, making a series of saves to keep India out.
The chance of the match though came to Sunil Chhetri who fluffed his lines. As the first half was winding down, Eugeneson Lyngdown played an inch perfect pass from midfield, slicing through the Nepal defence to find Chhetri. One on one with the Nepalese goalkeeper and only eight yards out, Chhetri would probably fancy himself to bury it nine times out of ten. Chhetri sent the keeper the wrong way, but shockingly failed to even hit the target, wasting India’s best chance of the night.
Resolute Nepal hold firm
This remained the story of the match with India shooting from yards out. On the rare occasions that they did find their target, Limbu stood resolute. Nepal had few chances, but you could hardly blame them: they sat back, happy to let India keep possession. For them, the draw was as good as a victory and when the final whistle rang out, they went on a deserving victory lap.
The same can’t be said about the Blue Tigers. For the second consecutive time, India have been outshined by a team ranked far below them. This time, it’ll hurt a lot more, because it was at home. For all the hype and the glamour around the Indian Super League, there really doesn’t seem to be any pronounced effect on the actual performance of the Indian team on the international circuit. India had captured hearts with their never-say-die attitude despite the defeat against Oman in their very first World Cup qualifier and there were hopes that this was a new resurgent Indian team. Unfortunately, things seem to have gone back to where they started.
Let’s just hope it doesn’t get too painful when the Iranians come calling.