FIFA WC Qualifiers | Oman didn’t work hard for their first goal, says Igor Stimac
India football team coach Igor Stimac expressed his disappointment in the way India conceded the equalizer against Oman, blaming Sunil Chhetri and Manvir Singh for not doing the job. He also highlighted the lack in shape of India’s backline that led to the debacle in the last 20 minutes.
The coach was stunned by the manner of Oman’s first goal as the visitors hardly looked dangerous up until that point and his team was unable to stop Mohsin Al Khaldi despite the coach preparing his side to deal with his danger.
"I expected him (Mohsin) to start, we knew he is very dangerous. We prepared for it. He didn't start but when he came on all I wanted was for my team to close (down) his left leg. I told Manvir (Singh) and Sunil to stay on him. They didn't, he ran free and a delightful left-foot ball over the top broke India. Silly goal to concede (Oman's first). They did not work hard for it, we made the mistake," said Stimac after the match, reported Sportstar.
This wasn’t the first time that India had put up a commendable first-half display before being run down by their opponents in the second half. In fact, it was quite a trend during the Intercontinental Cup, where India were seen shipping in as many as nine goals against Tajikistan and North Korea. And Thursday wasn’t any different, with Stimac lamenting what could have been his easiest chance at taking a progressive step towards the next round.
"The defence was losing its shape and that (the closing minutes) was the time we need to be patient. Keep possession, hold onto the lead and wait for counters. We didn't and we paid the price. My players, they can run. But this loss is about experience, not fitness. From the 70th minute mark, we made the mistake of running too much without passing. We should've made the opponent run and chase, we didn't," he added.
India will be travelling to Qatar in five days in what has been expected to be an extremely tough fixture and the Croatian has revealed there would be few changes after the Oman result.
"We will change four or five players, will see how they are. But we have no reason to fear, we will try to play good football and try to score," he said.
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