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The United Arab Emirates brought India back down to earth at the AFC Asian Cup 2019, as the Blue Tigers went down 2-0 to the hosts.
One goal each in both the halves ensured that the hosts get to the top of the table with 4 points, while India dropped down to the second position in Group A.
However, a win or even a draw against UAE would have eased the proceedings against Bahrain. The two moments of shock for India came in the 41st minute, from Khalfan Mubarak and in the 88th minute from Ahmed Mabkhout, two situations where the Indian defence should have raised the standards.
A dismal show from the visitors throughout the match saw them have no real control over the game on the field. Keeping the few instances the attackers came very close, Indian attacks were not as organised or developed as they were against Thailand. The midfield strategy of not letting the opposition break in even after keeping possession couldn't be successfully implemented at Abu Dhabi on Saturday evening.
Here, we look at 5 things we have learned from India's first loss in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
#5 India's finishing found wanting
There was no doubt that it was India's attackers who won the game for the Constantine & Co against the War Elephants. However, fielding the same starting lineup against UAE did not do the team much help. The team was able to get into the UAE box on various occasions, but missed the finishing touch every single time.
The final touch of the ball never got easy for team India, as they couldn't convert four clear chances in the first half. Jhingan's header in the early minutes of the game was a threatening one, that went near the crossbar. Just 4 minutes later, Ashique Kuruniyan launched a powerful shot from his right foot, only to be denied by the custodian Khalid Eisa, as the youngster aimed for the minor angle to get the ball in.
This time Sunil Chhetri couldn't get past the keeper to convert his easy header from a close range, resulting from a cross from the right wing. In the late seconds of the first half, an opportunity when India good have caught up the important draw also was not on target. The Indian skipper's shot, evading two defenders and with the goalkeeper not in any chance of saving it, went inches away from goal.
In the second half too, substitute Jeje Lalpekhlua went just wide of the UAE goal in 53rd minute. A few minutes later, Udanta Singh's hopeful shot hit the crossbar, just to keep India's scoreboards nil. In the very last minute of the game, India's try for a relieving goal too was denied by the crossbar coming in between.
It was not once or twice did India's faulty finishing was evident in the match. India lost when good domination couldn't be turned into good finishes.
#4 India troubled by long/aerial balls
No one would have forgotten Thailand's only goal against India in the first match - a free kick that came down into Gurpreet's box. The two goals Blue Tigers conceded against the hosts too began from long balls into the box.
Some poor communication from Anas Edathodika cost India an easy one past the Indian custodian in the 41st minute. The 31-year old stopper made a defensive lapse to leave the UAE attacker to be marked by Sandesh Jhingan. The duo didn't work well as UAE opened the scoring.
Towards the end of the game in the 88th minute, another overhead pass that caused India further trouble resulted in the second goal. This time, Ahmed Mabkhout received a ball from behind the centre line, only to be closed down by Pritam Kotal just behind. Though Kotal marked his presence, nothing could be done by the right back to stop the second goal at India's heart.
UAE had this strategy early on from the game. Within the initial minutes of the first half, the Indian defence was well tested by long balls from the centre line. Jhingan and Anas were forced to guard the ball on multiple times, to let Gurpreet collect the ball, coming off the line.
#3 UAE taking control of the second half
While the first half saw India develop attacks even after seeing very few minutes of the ball, the second 45 minutes was mostly dominated by UAE. The beginning after the break showed glimpses of India making a comeback, trying out on attacks like they did in their previous match. However, the team in whites took control of every part of the field as Stephen Constantine's men found it hard to find the scoresheet.
The Indian manager changed tactics from the kick off in the second half, as Jeje Lalpekhlua was introduced replacing Halicharan Narzary. Substitutions in the form of Rowllin Borges and Jackichand Singh also had very little influence over the game.
The second half had UAE enjoy more than 61% of the possession. Alberto Zaccheroni also made a tactic of shifting their attacks from the left wing to right wing in the latter half. While Pritam Kotal was the first defender who was well troubled, Subhasish Bose also had a lot to deal with in the final 45 minutes.
Thus, a plan well framed and executed got India very little on the pitch, apart from the occasional attempts on goal that went nowhere. Indeed, it was UAE's control over the game in the second half, that kept India away from goals.
#2 Long ball strategy works against slower, physical opponents
Even after a loss, India do have positives to take home from this fixture. One threatening and interesting move that was repeated by the players was a long ball strategy out onto the wings.
India do have pace in the form of Udanta Singh on the right wing and Ashique Kuruniyan playing a striker, withdrawn at times. Hence, the Blue Tigers can make very good use of the long balls that are coming from the defence line.
Indian centre backs Sandesh Jhingan and Anas Edathodika has excellent attributes of making accurate long passes. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu's long goal kicks are always an advantage. The custodian made 6 passes to the attackers throughout the game from goal kicks - 4 to Chhetri and 2 to Udanta. Both the times when Udanta was the target, we saw the Manipur-born winger making things hard for the UAE left-back.
Another similar tale is the Ashique-Anas combination. The centre back made sure his co-Keralite received the ball on 5 occasions. Sandesh Jhingan too had one good ball over the midfield to captain Chhetri.
With excellent pace on the wings and the defenders being slow, India do have the potential to send dangerous balls into the box. This can be a good strategy against the Bahrain defence, to win an aerial dual.
#1 Work left for Round of 16
It is India's 4th appearance at the AFC Asia Cup and the Blues hasn't been able to go past the group stages. But the win against Thais was an almost guarantee about the more number of matches India are going to play at UAE. However, the encounter with the hosts has let us know that there is work left to be done.
India's Round of 16 dreams are not too far, but will be one that has to earned fighting well. At present, Group A remains open to any team to make it to the knockout stages. UAE is at the top with 4 points, followed by India with 3 points. Thailand's victory against Bahrain has got them 3 points too, only to be fallen behind India by goal difference. Bahrain lies at the bottom with 1 point.
What keeps things interesting is that, Bahrain at the bottom too has a fair chance of advancing to the next round. If Bahrain defeats India and UAE wins against Thailand, Bahrain and UAE will be the two teams going into the next round directly.
For India to advance without trouble, a win is all that they want. 3 points from Bahrain would assure India their chances, getting a spot even as the second placed team of the group.
As of now, Stephen Constantine's team has good chances of playing their first Round of 16, but will have to display a good game with a win against Bahrain. Any other results will keep India in the radar to go in as one among the four best third-placed teams from all groups.
But, coming with big dreams wouldn't let the players take a chance as all they would want of January 14 will be 3 points.
