2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: India 1-2 Oman, 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis

#3 Shades of predecessor Stephen Constantine visible in Igor Stimac's gameplay

The defenders saw most of the balls in second half as India adopted a defensive approach

India's head coach Igor Stimac said in a media address before that the fans weren't happy with the approach taken by his predecessor Stephen Constantine as the team played an ultra-defensive game in most of the occasions.

He said that he will try to change it and the results might suffer. While we got a glimpse of it in the Kings Cup and the Hero Intercontinental Cup where India had a good share of possessions and passed the ball along the ground rather than taking the route one approach, the results indeed suffered.

Stimac had said that it will be all about results in the World Cup Qualifiers. Many fans wondered if that meant observing the game by the lens with which Stephen Constantine looked. Stimac copy-pasted that style and the shades of India under Constantine were indeed present.

Once India got the lead, rather than going out to score another, they were more focused on not letting in one. The team went full-throttle in the back and allowed Oman more possession and shots, looking to hit on the counter.

Lallianzuala Chhangte was brought in place of Brandon Fernandes so that the former can hurt Oman with his pace and swiftness in the counter. However, his fresh legs couldn't make much impact.