Hero Intercontinental Cup 2019: India 2-5 DPR Korea – 5 talking points as Blue Tigers almost crash out

#2 Improved midfield performance saw India’s performance rise in the second half

Chhangte's introduction changed the game in the 2nd half

A little bit of help from the midfielders in the first half would have helped India to reduce the margin. But the likes of Brandon Fernandes and Manvir Singh failed to rise on the occasion.

Brandon has proved himself in the last few matches and it was expected that he would again provide the inch-perfect crosses to Chhetri and Justin. But Korea understood India’s game-plan and kept Brandon under close eyes. As a result, the Goanese became desperate and lost his possession too many times.

Manvir was showing the correct approach in the beginning of the game, but eventually lost out the battle against more technically strong Korean players.

It was in the second half that India showed their true nature. Stimac brought Lallianzuala Chhangte and Udanta Singh and Indian attack got the much needed pace that it was craving for in the first half.