Oman 3-0 India: 5 Talking Points
Oman easily overcame a hapless India 3-0India’s torrid run in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2019 AFC Asia Cup Qualifying rounds continued as they crashed to a 3-0 defeat in Muscat at the hands of Oman. With little expectations from the game, India did well to stifle Oman early on and hold them to a 0-0 score line at half time.But India couldn’t resist much pressure after the break as the hosts upped the ante. It took them just ten minutes in the second half to make the breakthrough and later on it was smooth sailing for Oman as India shipped in two more goals. The defeat leaves the Indian National team in a really bad shape and there are several issues which will be talked up over the next few days.Here we take a look at the five talking points which India’s defeat to Oman threw up.
#1 Non-existent midfield making India a poor team
It’s evident that India’s biggest problem lies in the middle of the park. Constantine has tried several combinations there and nothing seems to be working. The midfield has become a huge cause for concern as it directly points towards a lack of ball playing players in the country. Eight games into his managerial stint with India, the coach has no clue who his best players are to play in central midfield.
India’s midfield has been non-existent in recent games apart from certain parts of the game against Iran and is neither stopping the opponent players from playing nor being able to hold the ball or spray it forward. Oman had plenty of joy in front of the Indian defense and played little triangles in dangerous areas as the Indians relied on the heroics of their back four and the goalkeeper to clear the danger.
With such a big problem in central midfield, few teams can hope for better results in football. Constantine has to look elsewhere than his preferred crop of midfielders otherwise things could get even worse.