'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
India drew with Kuwait 1-1 in their penultimate group-stage game of the SAFF Championship 2023 in Bangalore on Tuesday (27 June).
Both sides had qualified for the semi-finals even before the game started, due to having won both their first two group games. This game was to decide which side would top the group and go into the semi-finals as group toppers.
India (FIFA Ranking 98) are ranked better compared to their opponents Kuwait (FIFA Ranking 143). But it must be noted that the slide of Kuwait's rankings were due to multiple FIFA bans and not poor performance.
The match started with the Blue Tigers playing their well-known brand of ultra-high-pressing football, which they have been trying to implement under Igor Stimac.
While Stimac's side created a lot of openings, they failed to convert the chances that came their way.
Sunil Chhetri finally broke the deadlock in added time of the first half as his side volley from a corner beat Kuwait's keeper Abdul Rahman Marzouq to give his side the lead. The scoreboard at halftime read 1-0 in favor of the hosts.
The hosts started the second half on the same note as the first and created numerous chances. The Indian defense and midfield also produced one of their best performances in recent times.
While the game was going smoothly, the Indian team again got into a tussle with their opponents. This saw their coach Igor Stimac get his second red card of the tournament. Also, Rahim Ali, who came on in the second half, was given his marching orders.
The break in play hampered the rhythm of the Blue Tigers as they conceded a late equalizer courtesy of Anwar Ali's own goal to draw the game against Kuwait.
The match ended with the scoreboard reading 1-1. With this result, Kuwait qualifies for the semifinals as group toppers and will face Bangladesh, while India will play Lebanon.
On that note, let's take a look at three things we learned from this game.
#3 Igor Stimac's antics may have cost India three points
India were leading and playing some of the best football they have played in recent times. It looked like everything was going to plan. Igor Stimac's plans and his high-pressing football looked like giving India the way and style they always wanted to play.
In the dying moments of the game, a tussle broke out between the players which soon transferred to the touchline. Stimac was given his marching orders, along with Rahim Ali.
The break and the brawl did hamper the Blue Tigers' concentration and rhythm. Anwar Ali's own goal in injury time helped Kuwait draw the match.
India's newfound aggression on the pitch is something which everyone appreciates. But once things go out of hand and transfer to the touchline, that is when it causes the side to lose focus and do unwanted things.
Igor Stimac has to work on this aspect of his side or they could falter during high-voltage encounters in the upcoming days. He would also need to review his behaviour on the touchlines.
#2 India showcases one of its best performances
The way the Blue Tigers played on Tuesday is one of the best performances they have produced in recent times. Kuwait was bound to be a difficult opponent, but the way Igor Stimac's side approached the match impressed everyone.
India's defense and midfield were spot on despite them having played out a draw. The way they pressed upfront and helped each other out was impressive. However, Stimac needs to work on his side finishing or else he will face issues in the upcoming games.
The way the Blue Tigers pressed or controlled the game was really impressive. It was something we didn't see the national team do often.
Controlling a game against a Middle-Eastern side is something the Blue Tigers' fans haven't experienced much. Stimac will hope his side can continue this performance and win the SAFF Championship.
#1 India's defense is their stronger suit
India's defense is their strong point. The Blue Tigers came into the game with an eight-game clean sheet streak. Igor Stimac aimed at claiming his ninth clean sheet in a row, but that aim was lost when Anwar Ali conceded a clumsy own goal in injury time.
Notwithstanding this, the Blue Tigers' defense has made a name for itself as they had not conceded a goal in 2023 till this match. They did concede one in this game, but that goal came at a time when the team's concentration and rhythm were messed up.
The defense of Nikhil Poojari, Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali, and Akash Mishra seems to have provided a strong backline, which will support the team in attack too.
The combination of Jhingan and Anwar is rock solid. While Jhingan is good physically, as he showed on numerous occasions against Kuwait, Anwar is good on the ball and someone who can play out from the backline.
This combination has become an asset for the Blue Tigers and Igor Stimac will hope that they keep performing in the upcoming games.
