Intercontinental Cup 2019: India vs Tajikistan, 5 hits and flops

Anirudh Thapa was the vital cog in India's midfield
Anirudh Thapa was the vital cog in India's midfield

#3 Narender Gehlot (Flop)

Narender Gehlot needs more time to settle in the starting XI
Narender Gehlot needs more time to settle in the starting XI

India had a pretty decent first 45 minutes but lost the plot completely in the second half. The flurry of goals from the opposition started in the 56th minute, followed by a second just three minutes later. Giving away cheap goals has been the main reason for the disastrous end to the game against Tajikistan.

Igor Stimac fielded a relatively inexperienced defence, starting with Adil Khan and debutant Narender Gehlot at the centre. The duo never seemed too comfortable and often messed up at the critical positions. The occasion might have got the better of young Gehlot, he needs more time to settle himself in the playing XI.

The defence collapsed entirely in the second period. If their first goal was against the run of play, the next one proved how helpless the centre backs were at crucial moments. The third and fourth goals followed, there was no communication between the defenders.

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