Afghanistan vs India: 3 Talking points & tactical analysis | 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

#1 Afghan defenders isolate Sunil Chhetri

The Afghan defenders were good at what they were told to do, isolate Sunil Chhetri and waste valuable time (Image Credits: AIFF Media)

By his standards, Sunil Chhetri was nowhere close to his A-game. But, full points to the Afghanistan defenders for not giving him space to exploit. Even when he dropped deep to fetch the ball, there was always an Afghan player breathing down his neck. On one occasion, he had to go all the way to the centre-circle so that he didn't lose possession.

With Afghanistan players not giving him an inch in open play, the 35-year-old knew his best chance would only come through set-pieces. Everyone failed to read the trajectory of Brandon's free-kick in the 57th minute and the ball fell kindly to Chhetri to head it home from close range.

But, the captain got his head under the ball and it kissed the upper part of the crossbar. Additionally, the Indian skipper also failed to connect with a wonderful cross from the left-flank on one of the rare occasions when he was accorded space from open play.