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After a thumping win over Thailand in the opening game of the group stages, India prepared to face their toughest test yet. UAE were ranked 79 in the FIFA rankings, the highest in Group A, with India at 97. As such, the Men in Blue needed to be at their very best to get something out of this game.
Stephen Constantine named an unchanged team on the night, with Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in goal, Bose, Edathodika, Jhingan and Kotal as the back 4. The midfield consisted of Narzary, Halder, Thapa and Singh, while Sunil Chettri and Kuruniyan spearheaded the attack.
After Thailand's slender 1-0 win over Bahrain, India needed a result from this game to ensure their passage to the knockouts and on the pitch, the men were a picture of composure and determination.
UAE started the stronger of the two teams and pegged India back for the first 10 minutes. However, they failed to break a resolute Indian defense, which allowed the Men in Blue to grow into the game.
Even though they had inferior ball possession, India created more chances in the first half. But they were let down by poor finishing from the forward players. In the 41st minute, UAE punished them for the misses, scoring the opener through Khalfan Mubarak, and ending the half with a 1-0 lead.
India rallied in the second half, created a few more chances and even hit the frame of the goal twice. However, UAE doubled their lead through Mabkhout in the 88th minute and ended the game with the 3 points.
India are still second in the group, courtesy of a better goal difference and as such, hopes of progressing to the knockouts are still alive. Even though India lost the game, they were impressive on the night and here are 5 positives for the Men in Blue from the game
#4 Gurpreet Singh Sandhu's long goal kicks
The goalkeeper could do nothing for the two goals, but his long balls turned out to be a potent weapon as the game grew older. The Indian goalkeeper's ferocious goal kicks almost traversed the length of the field and were aimed right on the UAE back four. It gave the Indian forwards a chance to attack the opposition defence and it put immense pressure on UAE.
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu's kicks turned out to be the first line of offence for the Indian team and it allowed them to unsettle UAE right from the start of the game. At the end of the first half, right after conceding the goal, his goal kick provided the Men in Blue a brilliant chance to equalize. Gurpreet's goal kick penetrated the UAE defence and reached Sunil Chhetri free on goal. The Indian skipper's snap shot was just wide of the back post.
Even in the second half, the Indian custodian's free kicks repeatedly troubled the opposition defence, as UAE failed to find a solution to their vulnerability.
#3 The link-up play up front
Even though India lost the game, the front players combined very well throughout the game. Sunil Chhetri and Ashique Kuruniyan were guilty of missing a host of chances, but their understanding of each other raises a lot of hopes.
The Indian skipper set his strike partner free on quite a few occasions, trying to capitalize on Kuruniyan's speed and technical abilities. Chhetri broke free himself, running the channels well and Kuruniyan then returned the favour. Those two gave UAE quite a few headaches in the first half.
In the second, as Constantine put on Jeje, the link-up play of the Indian team was fabulous at times. Jeje's ability to hold the ball and set players free almost led to a goal, as he set Udanta Singh free, who played a beautiful one-two with his skipper before watching his angled shot come off the crossbar.
This link-up play on display is a big positive ahead of the must-win game against Bahrain on Monday.
#2 Chances created
Even against a team ranked almost 20 places above them in the FIFA rankings, India created a lot more chances and almost snatched away a win. India started on the back foot, but broke away as early as the 11th minute when Ashique Kuruniyan was set free by Chhetri and he should have put India ahead. Unfortunately, luck was not on India's side right from the start.
On any other day, India would have gone into the break with a 3-0 lead, because they created a lot of chances even with inferior ball possession. Udanta Singh and Anirudh Thapa created some great opportunities for India, as their movement and passing kept UAE on their toes. Sunil Chhetri had an off day, but he did register quite a few through balls on the night.
In the second half, India piled on the pressure on UAE and played direct football. They were really unfortunate to hit the woodwork twice. If India keeps on playing this way against Bahrain, it will increase their chances of progressing into the knockouts.
#1 Attacking intent
There is a hunger in this Indian team, a desire to get on the ball, and that was a welcome change. After thumping Thailand, India faced a real challenge against UAE, who were a far stronger opposition. However, India looked unperturbed on the night, and showed courage, grit and determination that should make every fan proud.
After weathering the storm in the first 10 minutes, India embarked on an adventure of their own. Even though UAE won the game in the end, it was not a walk in the park for them. India's attacking intent and desire to go forward kept UAE occupied and gave them a lot of headaches. It is this desire, this attacking intent of the whole team that is the biggest positive of the night.
The Men in Blue wasted little time on the ball, keeping it moving continuously. They had their sights on goal throughout the game and relentlessly attacked the opposition. India put together wave after wave of attack and some of the intricate exchange of passes were a treat to the eyes.
India might have lost the game, but their desire to play attacking football won the hearts of the millions of fans and this is the biggest positive from the night.
