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The trip to Jordan was hectic for the Indians as their flights were delayed due to floods in the Middle-East. Seven of the 22 players went through a 32-hour ordeal before landing at Amman on Friday night, barely a day before the game. The game itself was thrown into doubt due to these calamities but the Jordan FA decided to go ahead with the match.
Stephen Constantine did not start the seven players who were yet to gain match fitness after the long journey. Anirudh Thapa started as the sole striker upfront and Jerry Lalrinzuala operated in an abnormal position through the attacking flanks on the left side.
The hosts had a penalty very early in the game but Gurpreet Singh Sandhu pulled off an excellent save to deny Jordan. Gurpreet dived the right way and got his fingertips to drift the spot-kick by Khalil Baniateyah, who tried to slot the ball hard into the bottom-left.
However, Gurpreet committed a horrendous mistake when the opposition goalkeeper Amer Shafi hoofed the ball up to play the attacker. A momentary lapse of judgment by Gurpreet saw the ball bounce at the edge of the box and land at the back of the net.
Jordan could have taken a two-goal lead going into the interval, but they failed to make the most of it. Fast forward, thirteen minutes into the second half, the hosts eventually made it 2-0 on the counter, thanks to a great team goal which was put in the back of the net by Ehsan Haddad. Three minutes later, Nishu Kumar pulled one back for the visitors, but it turned out to be a consolation goal. The game ended in a 2-1 defeat to India.
In this piece, we look at the 5 hits and flops from the game between Jordan and India.
#1 Hit: Yaseen Al-Bakhit
Yaseen Al-Bakhit started in the right wing for Jordan. The 29-year-old was a constant threat for India as he made a couple of runs past Pritam Kotal and Salam Ranjan Singh, who tried to shield the right flanks by providing support to the right-back. However, it was the Jordan International who dominated throughout the game.
Bakhit won the ball back for the second goal, leading to the counter-attack that led to the neat finish by Haddad. His speed, incisive passing and dribbling made life tough for Kotal. There were instances where he could have done better in the final third, but he stood out for the hosts by proving to be the creative fulcrum.
#2 Flop: Jerry Lalrinzuala
Even though Jerry Lalrinzuala played in an unusual position, the 20-year-old could have done better in several instances of the game. The Indian International was constantly getting bullied by Ehsan Haddad and Ibrahim Al-Zawahreh in the left-flank.
Jerry could have been intelligent with the ball but struggled to hold the ball and pull a string of five passes. At times, Subashish Bose was caught at the back when these two struggled to combine well in the offensive part of the game. He gave the full-back to do the spare work at the back who defended decently throughout the game.
This is mainly down to the tactics deployed by Stephen Constantine who likes to play long balls from the back, rather than playing build up plays which will suit the current crop of players. It is fair to say the Jordan were unlucky not to double the lead before the half-time whistle. Eventually, Ashique Kuruniyan replaced the youngster after the first half.
#3 Hit: Ehsan Haddad
Like Yassen Al-Bakhit, Ehsan Haddad was thriving through another flank. The wing-back was one of the best players for Jordan on Saturday. Just moments before the half-time, he crossed the ball to perfection but Jordan's Number 9 Baha Faisal who could not tap-in the ball in from close range.
Additionally, he registered his name on the scoresheet when he slotted the ball into the back of the net neatly, thanks to a delightful ball from Samir to set him up thirteen minutes into the second half. He worked his socks off defensively and offensively to make things happen for the hosts.
Ehsan combined with Khalil Baniateyah to cause havoc to the left-full back and winger of India. It was an intriguing battle between the pair of players, but it was the Jordan International who won the contest by bagging a goal and produced an all-around stellar show to secure Jordan's victory.
#4 Flop: Anas Edathodika
Anas Edathodika was one of the experienced players on the pitch for India, but he produced a poor show. The Indian defender was all over the place and struggled to cope up with Yaseen Al-Bakhit who was the best player for the hosts, and Jordan's striker Baha Faisal. Anas was caught ball watching during the first half, thankfully Faisal failed to connect with the ball.
He was second time lucky when he headed the ball casually to the goalkeeper in the first half, but Gurpreet read the moment and caught the ball safely despite Faisal's swift reaction. Yassen Al-Bakhit got the best of Pritam Kotal and Anas Edathokida on multiple occasions and ran over the Indian defence for the most part of the game.
It was clearly evident that Jordan was targetting the right side of the defense. After the injury, Anas has struggled to defend against pacy forwards.
#5 Hit: Nishu Kumar
Debutant goalscorer Nishu Kumar would not forget this game personally, but collectively India failed to get over the line. India got the much-needed energy in the midfield department following the introduction of the Bengaluru FC defender.
Nishu came on as a substitute for Salam Ranjan Singh in the 59th minute and made an instant impact by netting a goal two minutes later. After India scored their goal, they had plenty of possession in Jordan's half and were looking for the equaliser. The home side's midfield was overrun on certain occasions, but it was of no use as the visitors ran out of ideas in the final third.
Nishu tried his best and his link-up play with the strikers Sumeet Passi and Anirudh Thapa, but it did not pan out well. He was affected with the absence of Sunil Chhetri, Jeje Lalpekhlua and Balwant Singh as India struggled to produce a piece of magic to cause trouble to Jordan's defence.
