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After registering an impressive 4-1 victory over Thailand in their first match of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 campaign, team India lost the rhythm in their second group stage match as the host nation, the United Arab Emirates edged the 'Blue Tigers' out 2-0 on Thursday, at the Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
It was not the 'Blue Tigers' day as they misspent three golden opportunities in the first half. Unfortunately team India also hit the crossbar twice in the second half of the game. Khaflan Mubarak broke the deadlock for the hosts in the 41st minute of the game. Ali Ahmed Mabkhout doubled the lead as he found the back of the net in the 88th minute of the match and UAE stole India's thunder in a spectacular encounter.
After today's match, the host nation UAE are topping the group with four points, followed by India with three points, the same as Thailand. In their next fixture, team India will lock horns with Bahrain on January 14, 2019, which will be the 'do or die' match for the 'Blue Tigers' to qualify for the Round of 16.
Let's have a look at the three major reasons, for what team India suffered a 0-2 loss against UAE.
#3 Poor ball possession
Unlike the first half, team India failed to create enough chances in the second half of the game, which resulted in only 33% of ball possession for them. Though in the first half, the UAE defence appeared to be a bit shaky, team India failed to create an effective attack in front of the resolute UAE defence in the second half of the game.
In the 53rd minute, Jeje Lalpekhlua tried to poke the ball into the net after getting it from Anirudh Thapa's free-kick, but the ball went just inches wide. Two minutes later, Udanta Singh's powerful shot was denied by the UAE bar. Only these two notable chances were created by the Indians in the second half, as UAE brought the game under their control gradually, not allowing Indian strikers to have the ball possession.
#2 One moment of misunderstanding between the defenders
One silly mistake by Anas Edathodika in the first half changed the whole storyline of the game. Lusterless defending by the Indian defenders allowed Ali Mabkhout to find Khaflan Mubarak easily, who did not fail to break the deadlock for his side in the 41st minute of the match. One moment of misunderstanding between Anas Edathodika and Sandesh Jhingan wasted all the efforts team India put in the first half of the game.
Anas could have cleared the ball earlier as he got enough time to do the same, but he waited for Sandesh to clear the ball instead. Both of the Indian defenders realized that they had made an inexcusable mistake but it was too late. Ali Mabkhout found Khaflan Mubarak in between, who gave a clinical finish to make the scoreline 1-0 for the hosts.
#1 India failed to convert the golden opportunities
Sandesh Jhingan could have given team India the lead in the 8th minute of the match, but his header from a corner kick went wide. The 'Blue Tigers' wasted their first opportunity to make the scoreline 1-0 in favour of them.
In the 11th minute, Ashique Kuruniyan fired a powerful left-footer off an excellent through ball by skipper Sunil Chhetri, but the UAE goalie Khalid Eisa denied him, making an impeccable save. Another opportunity was wasted by team India as they failed to take the early lead.
Team India skipper Sunil Chhetri got the golden opportunity in the 23rd minute of the match as Anirudh Thapa found him inside the UAE box. Chhetri converted Thapa's cross into a powerful header but he just gifted the ball to the UAE custodian, Khalid Eisa. This wastage of chances surely broke the hearts of the Indians.
Team India could have almost snatched the game from the hosts in the first half. The 'Blue Tigers' would have been 3-0 up within just 30 minutes of the game and if they could have utilized all those opportunities properly, the scoreline would definitely be different. The hosts made a great come back into the game gradually and in the end, sealed all three points to get one step closer to the Round of 16.
