New Delhi: To win must-win games, defending a lead is as essential as scoring, which explained why Khalid Jamil called up two defensive players for their AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore and even started with them, though it didn’t have the desired impact as India lost 2-1 in Margao on Tuesday.
Jamil must have taken notes of India’s struggle to contain the pacy Singaporean attackers even with the presence of the suspended Sandesh Jhingan in their 1-1 draw away from home five days earlier.
But his worst fears came true and India failed to protect Lallianzuala Chhangte’s 14th minute strike to kiss goodbye to their slim hopes of qualification for its 2027 edition as they dropped to the bottom and out of mathematical contention.
With their backs to the wall with two draws in first three matches, India’s intent was evident and duly got their rewards as hard-pressing in and around Singapore’s penalty area created their goal.
Relentless running forced a hurried clearance that the left-footed Chhangte drilled in the top corner from outside the box with his right foot for his ninth international goal. It all looked rosy then as Chhangte on the left flank and Liston Colaco on the right ran with purpose.
Naorem Mahesh Singh was also mobile in the centre of the pitch as he linked up with Sunil Chhetri, Chhangte and Colaco as it seemed India had a plan on how how to find holes in Singapore’s backline and score.
A goalline save prevented Colaco from adding to the scoreline, as did Chhangte’s mistimed shot with his preferred left foot and Mahesh shot Chhetri’s cushioned pass straight at the Singapore keeper.
It seemed that India would score at any moment, instead, Singapore survived and stung a minute before the break to dampen spirits of the home team at half-time.
Defensive woes
Singapore were aware that the onus is on India to push forward as they needed a win to improves qualification chances, which explains why they didn’t press aggressively in the initial stages.
They preferred to lob balls over the four-man backline and deliver crosses in between the central defenders. It brought about both their goals, as Rahul Bheke’s inability to deal with a cross allowed Glenn Kwah to set up Songh Uiyoung to smash low into the bottom left corner of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
It altered dynamics as the Indians had to come forward again in the second session for Singapore to pluck away the match winner through an overhead ball sent in between Bheke and Anwar Ali.
Forward Ikshan Fandi Ahmad used all his physicality to shield the ball and allow Kweh to set up Song for a blast into the roof of the net from inside the area.
It is this lack of pace, inability to mark, and “lack of concentration” despite retreating in numbers that Jamil wanted to guard against through call-ups of Apuia and Subhasish Bose.
Apart from deliveries onto the head of Chhetri, not much of a plan was on show after India fell behind.
Though Colaco twisted and turned and Chhangte sent inviting crosses into the box but substitute Udanta Singh’s wayward heading meant there was no way backing for India.