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

#1 Are India ready for Qatar test?

Qatar would have no problem in entertaining this Indian side

If India were placed in any other group of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, they would have faced Indonesia, Singapore, Nepal, Cambodia, Mongolia, Guam, or Sri Lanka.

But, Qatar's request to swap their fixture with the team from the fifth pot once the groups are decided to ensure they get enough time to prepare for the 2020 Copa America meant the dreaded game against the Asian champions came before many ISL teams are yet to start their pre-season.

All the Indian players can give a better showing than the one against Oman. But, it might still not be enough. Qatar thrashed Afghanistan 6-0 on the same day as India lost to Oman and went three goals up in the first thirteen minutes of the game. Their star striker Almoez Ali scored a hat-trick once again.

In the Asian Cup, they were ruthless both in attack and defence, scoring 19 goals and conceding only one.

Sandesh Jhingan and Adil Khan, or the centre-back defensive pairing Igor Stimac decides to field against Qatar, should not depend on Gurpreet to bail them out every time as Qatar will have more chances. The full-backs too will find it tough to contain their wingers, who have more pace and their crosses are much deadlier.

The midfielders and forwards will have to press much harder and up their intensity. Similarly, India should not either expect Qatar would give them much time to build on the counter.

Igor Stimac mentioned that India would play a different brand of football against Qatar than Oman. If it means sitting further deep, one wonders if it will work. Let's see what cards Stimac has rolled up in his sleeves for this clash.