Afghanistan 1-1 India: Hits and Flops from the encounter

#2 Brandon Fernandes – Hit

Brandon Fernandes

Stimac opted for an adventurous midfield trio of Brandon Fernandes, Pronay Halder and Sahal, thereby hinting at a slightly more attacking brand of football against Afghanistan. And, while Pronay and Sahal didn’t cover themselves in glory, Brandon did everything possible to ensure India didn’t return empty-handed. And, those efforts didn’t go in vain.

The FC Goa midfielder kept things ticking throughout the match, even as those around him searched for creativity and imagination. For a majority of the game, Brandon asked for the ball from his centre-backs before spreading the play adroitly.

However, none of the other midfielders and forwards provided him suitable options for India to create anything of note till the latter stages of the game. Inevitably, the onus fell on Brandon to conjure something from dead-ball situations and the midfielder didn’t disappoint.

Though he had been curling in wonderful crosses from corners and free-kicks for the entirety of the encounter, his deliveries weren’t met with the adequate connection until the dying moments when Doungel rose high to nod home.

Thus, despite India not enduring the most decisive evening offensively, Brandon kept banging at the Afghan door and ultimately, he managed to barge through, albeit with major help from his FC Goa teammate.