India’s disheartening loss to Oman reeks of more erred tactics than individual errors

Anyone remotely following English Premier League managers speaking in the post-match press conferences would have surely come across the phrase “striking the perfect balance” repeatedly. It is because, as vague as it sounds when the gaffer refers to it in the context of a game’s turning point, maintaining the equilibrium is the single most important task for the coach.

Not known for their physical supremacy across the continent, Oman rely more on silky passing and making run behind opponents’ defences. Hence, tackling a relentless strong player on their right-wing meant they needed to commit their right-back as well as the right midfield, thereby throwing their pre-established out of the window. 

The amount of workload Kuruniyan was taking from minute one was unparalleled and after one of his lung-bursting runs in the 23rd minute saw Abdulaziz Al-Ghailani being forced into a rash tackle, and consequently getting booked, Oman were seen unwilling to take any risk making the first half an all-Indian affair.

However, things were about to change soon and the drastic defensive lapse that saw India conceding two goals in a span of ten minutes wasn’t a sudden occurrence. Stimac had set the ball rolling early in the second half when Lallianzuala Chhangte replaced Brandon Fernandes. Though Brandon, who came up with an assist for the India goal, in the playmaker’s role hardly made any difference up top, the team’s balance wasn’t upsetting because of it. But, when Chhangte came to the no.10 position, which was clearly not his favourable position, the balance was disturbed.

Oman, who had already come out in the second half with more intent, saw their task getting easier as Kuruniyan’s threat was slashed to half. All these small details were building up for the last ten minutes of the match, which eventually decided the outcome of the match. Stimac brought off the energy sapped Kuruniyan by introducing Manvir Singh, who was the second and perhaps the biggest blunder of the game.

For all of Manvir’s talent, he has always lacked creativity. And with Kuruniyan gone, Chhangte should have finally been pushed to the left wing, something which he was already doing unintentionally, whenever he had the ball. It was here that Sahal Abdul Samad could have been absolutely crucial with his ability to bring out the ball from congested places, for another goal in the final quarter would have killed the game for Oman.

While one would agree that Rahul Bheke and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu could have done much more for the two goals that India conceded to lose the match, Stimac would need to show more strategic nuance if he is to make any sort of history with the bunch of talented players at his disposal.