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India went down 3-0 to a strong Iran side in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2019 Asian Cup joint qualifier in Bengaluru after an early second half blitz from the visitors undid India’s good work in the first half.
Despite the negative result, India had plenty of positives to take from the game as we some great individual performances which would have left a mark on Coach Stephan Constantine’s mind.
Player ratings for Team India:
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu – 5/10
Gurpreet Singh Sandu, India’s only player playing in the Europe had a shaky debut against Iran. After a solid start to the game, questions could be asked of the Indian goalkeeper for the first two-goal that India conceded where he was caught a bit flat-footed and could have reacted slightly better on both occasions. It will be interesting what Constantine chooses to do for the next game, with Subrata Paul waiting in the wings.
Pritam Kotal – 6/10
Pritam Kotal had an inspired evening, playing at right back. After being subjected with constant pressure by Iran down the left side, Kotal performed brilliantly against Amiri and had answers to almost everything that was thrown at him. The only downside to his performance was that he let the Iran midfielder go past him too easily in the build-up to the second goal, but overall he was very solid.
Arnab Mondal – 6/10
Back in the side after being ignored for the game against Nepal, Arnab Mondal proved why he is one of the best defenders in Indian football. Mondal dealt brilliantly dealt with the aerial prowess of the Iranians and got his head to majority of the balls and crosses which were pumped into the box. He made some crucial tackles early on making sure his side didn’t concede an early goal like India did against Oman.
Sandesh Jhingan – 7/10
It’s a rarity that you will see a defender get an 8/10 rating when his side has lost 3-0, but such was Sandesh Jhinghan’s performance that that it warranted every bit of it. Sandesh Jhinghan made some breathtaking blocks and threw his body on the line on numerous occasions, the pick of which being a brave tackle using his head while lying down. Had it not been for him, Iran would have racked up a cricket score in this one.
Narayan Das – 5/10
The right back had a decent outing for the Blue Tigers but was the weakest of the Indian backline. Das was partly at fault for Iran’s third goal, after his sloppy clearance gave Iran the opportunity to get the shot in. Das was slightly shaky at times and needed bailing out by Sandesh Jhingan as he had his side in trouble after missing a regulation header.
Rowlin Borges – 6/10
After coming on for the injured Dhanpal Ganesh, Borges had a tough job at hand keeping the rampant Iranian midfield in check. But Borges did a good job shielding his defense and his energy in the middle of the park kept Iran in check especially in the first half. He had little to contribute going forward but looked impressive with his overall display.
Pronay Halder – 6.5/10
Halder made a case for himself during the game against Nepal and justified his selection in the team today with as he put in a great shift. Along with Borges, Halder did a good job of tracking the midfield runners and made some crucial tackles to stop the marauding Iranian midfielders. He was found wanting at times in the second half, but considering the level of opposition did more than a decent job.
Eugenson Lyngdoh – 4/10
Lygdhoh who started out wide on the right was vested the responsibility of creating openings for the likes of Jeje and Sunil Chhetri. But the Bengaluru FC midfielder again failed to deliver on the International stage and was invisible for most parts of an hour’s time on the field. Misplaced passes and lack of tactical nous, meant Lyngdoh had a game to forget against Iran.
Sunil Chhetri – 6.5/10
With the weight of the country’s expectations on his shoulder, Chhetri had the responsibility of delivering the goods going forward for India. But with just 35% possession, Chhetri’s time on the ball was limited. When he had the ball at his feet, he looked to have the spark to create something as he made some great runs only to find little options in front of him. Not his best of games, but also not his worst.
Robin Singh – 6.5/10
Robin Singh who often played in a withdrawn role on the right, used his physical prowess to his best and seemed to have got under the Iranian right back’s skin as he cut a frustrated figure come the end of the ninety minutes. India’s scarce endeavors on the Iran goal came from his side and the big man seemed involved in almost all of those. The new Delhi Dynamos recruit worked his socks off all evening and had a decent outing.
Jeje Lalpekhlua – 6/10
Having been made to feed on scraps, Jeje Lapekhlua did well in the first half to press from the front and stop Iran from building their attacks easily. But as the game was being played increasingly in the Indian half, Jeje was isolated up front and had very little touches of the ball. To his criticism, he missed India’s best chance from a corner and could have done better on another attempt few minutes back.
Telem Jackichand Singh – 6.5/10
Jackichand Singh replaced Eugenson Lyngdoh on the right flank on the hour mark and was instrumental in creating India’s best chance of the game. His cross from the right flank was headed into the Jeje’s path by Sunil Chhetri, but the Iran center back got back to steel the ball from Jeje’s feet just before he could unleash his shot.
Cavin Lobo – 6/10
Cavin Lobo came on as a late substitute to aid India’s attack, but couldn’t influence the game as Constantine would have liked. But to be fair to him the game had little life in it when he came on and India’s shoulders had already dropped.
Dhanpal Ganesh – 6/10
Dhanpal Ganesh made his first start in the qualifiers and sadly for the Pune FC midfielder it didn’t last long, as he got injured while tracking an Iranian midfielder’s run. He had a steady game till that point.
