AFC Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers: Kyrgyz Republic vs India, 5 Talking Points

Forwards starved of service

The Indian forwards cut a forlorn figure today.

Jeje scored in the final five minutes of regulation to nab a consolation goal for India. Holicharan Narzary's cross from the left was on target and met by Jeje with a well-placed header.

It was, however, an illustration of what was possible had the forwards received better service through the game. Jeje and Balwant worked hard to get into good positions, but simply did not have much of note to feed off from their midfielders and wingers.

Stephen Constantine went with a midfield combination of Mohammed Rafique and Rowllin Borges for this game, but the duo could not hold any semblance of possession and gave the ball away far too easily. Rafique was wasteful with his passing and while Borges might have hit the woodwork once and forced a good save off the keeper another time, as a defensive shield he offered no protection.

The wide men, Udanta Singh and Narzary too were disappointing. Len Doungel came on for Udanta in the second half and missed a glorious chance to play a pass through to Jeje in a promising position, choosing to take a wild shot instead.