Asian Cup 2019: India 0-2 United Arab Emirates - 5 Hits and Flops from the game

India failed to build on their winning start to the AFC Asian Cup adventure as they succumbed to a 0-2 defeat at the hands of United Arab Emirates in Group A of the competition at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Stephen Constantine’s men executed their game plan quite efficiently in the first half, but failed to find the finishing touch that would edge them ahead of the hosts.

The Blue Tigers conjured a spirited performance and were only denied due to the heroics of Khalid Eisa in the visitors’ goal after the Emirati goalkeeper prevented both Ashique Kuruniyan and Sunil Chhetri from breaking the deadlock in the first half.

Despite their persistent efforts in attack, India conceded the opening goal against the run of play due to the lack of communication between Anas Edathodika and Sandesh Jhingan in the 42nd minute.

Ali Mabkhout stretched the back-line with a run before setting up Khalfan Mubarak, who scored with a neat finish from a tight angle to send the stadium into a delirium of noise.

The visitors responded quickly when Gurpreet Singh Sandhu released Chhetri with a goal-kick, but the Indian skipper’s finish went narrowly wide as he aimed for the far post.

UAE were happy with knocking it around in the second half as India continued their push for an equaliser. Udanta Singh came the closest when his thunderous shot clipped the underside of the bar before staying out as UAE breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Mabkhout put the result beyond any doubt in the 88th minute, when he scored with a neat finish after controlling a lobbed pass to perfection. There would still be time for India to be denied by the frame of the goal yet again as Jhingan’s effort from a set-piece struck the post.

The result now means that UAE are currently leading the race for qualification from Group A with four points, while India and Thailand, who beat Bahrain, are in close pursuit with three points.

Without further delay, let’s take a closer look at the best and worst performers from the game:

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#5 Hit - Sunil Chhetri

Chhetri worked tirelessly for India

Sunil Chhetri was arguably India’s best player on the night courtesy of a spirited display that probably lifted the whole side, like always. The 34-year-old worked tirelessly for the Blue Tigers and was not shy of dropping deep to enjoy more involvement on the ball.

India’s first chance of the night stemmed through Chhetri’s determination to win the ball back in midfield before his vision set up Ashique Kuruniyan with a golden chance.

The Bengaluru FC forward also had an attempt saved when Khalid Eisa denied his header from close range following a superbly executed cross from Anirudh Thapa from the right flank.

Chhetri also went close shortly after UAE opened the score when his shot narrowly whizzed beyond the far post when he conjured a shot after being played through by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

Despite failing to find the back of the net on a couple of instances in the first half, Chhetri’s link-up play was excellent and he was very much involved with Udanta, when the latter struck the underside of the bar with a thunderous effort.

Furthermore, the Indian skipper was involved in pretty much everything the visitors managed to produce on the night and could have easily added to his already impressive goal-scoring tally in international football.

There is an argument that Chhetri was wasteful and could have tucked away at least one of the chances presented to him, but it is hard to overlook his determination and grit that almost paid in dividends.

#4 Flop - Anas Edathodika

Anas switched off just before the interval and it proved costly

Anas Edathodika switched off at times and one instance, in particular, proved too costly for India towards the end of the first half.

The Kerala Blasters defender failed to apply pressure on Ali Mabkhout and forced Sandesh Jhingan to get dragged away as space opened up for the onrushing Khalfan Mubarak, who made no mistake with a cheeky finish to find the back of the net.

For the majority of the first half, India were quite organised at the back and never really allowed UAE to cause them too many problems.

However, the lackadaisical approach from Anas during the build-up to the opening goal exposed a vulnerability at the back and the visitors ended up paying way too much for it.

The 31-year-old also struggled to play out from the back and looked a shadow of the player we have known him to be over the years for both club and country.

#3 Hit - Khalid Eisa

Eisa conjured a couple of defining saves in the first half

Khalid Eisa is probably the reason why UAE was afforded the luxury of playing the waiting game against India without falling way too behind.

The Emirati shot-stopper was at the peak of his powers in the first half to deny India the breakthrough they probably deserved early on. The 29-year-old conjured a stunning save to deny Ashique Kuruniyan at his near post during the Blue Tigers’ first sniff of the goal on the night.

Although he was handed a favour when Sunil Chhetri directed his header straight at him, the UAE custodian still had to react quickly and managed to steer the ball away from danger.

The Al Ain star showed excellent command of his penalty box and managed to come out with a clean slate at the end of proceedings, albeit with a little luck from the woodwork.

Eisa’s commendable shot-stopping abilities ensured that UAE remained in the game for long enough to turn things around and the result could have taken a turn for the worse without his services on the night.

#2 Flop - Halicharan Narzary

Narzary was a passenger on the pitch throughout his involvement

Halicharan Narzary struggled to make an impact on the night and hardly ever caused UAE any problems down the left flank. The winger was rightfully hooked at the half-time interval when Stephen Constantine opted to introduce Jeje Lalpekhlua and it capped off a miserable evening for the player.

The Kerala Blasters wide-man did not offer anything while going forward and lacked the impetus to get in behind the space left over by the marauding Bandar Mohammed at right-back for the hosts. It seems like Narzary is yet to completely shake off his poor form in the domestic season and he is increasingly looking like a liability to the side at this point in time.

Narzary had a night to forget in Abu Dhabi and never looked like recovering from his slow start to the game. However, it remains to be seen if Constantine will be tempted to drop him for the crucial and final group game against Sharjah on Monday.

#1 Hit - Ali Mabkhout

Mabkhout delivered the goods when it mattered the most

Ali Mabkhout did not have the most sparkling start to the tournament against Bahrain and had come in for criticism for the performance. However, the 28-year-old made the most of his opportunity against India to grab an assist and score during the 2-0 win over the Blue Tigers.

The striker was far from being at his menacing best and did just about enough in the end to stand out at the end of proceedings owing to his invaluable contributions.

Despite almost being a passenger during India’s most dominating spell in the first half, Mabkhout managed to cause confusion between the defenders before rolling the ball into Khalfan Mubarak’s path for the opening goal of the night.

The Al Jazira marksman proved to be the catalyst in UAE producing a goal out of nothing as the hosts edged ahead at the interval.

Mabkhout completed the rout in the 88th minute with a well-taken finish when he controlled a sublime lobbed pass from Ali Salmeen with a touch, before slotting the ball beyond the reach of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

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