India 1-2 Oman - Five talking points

India’s equalising goal was disallowed without any justifiable reason

India opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-2 loss to Oman in Bengaluru. Indian coach, Stephen Constantine, selected an inexperienced defence, handing debuts to three players in back four. Constantine also handed a debut to Sehnaj Singh in midfield. Bengaluru FC duo, Sunil Chhetri and Robin Singh, spearheaded the attack for the Blue Tigers.

Oman got off to the perfect start with a goal inside 30 seconds to put the Indian defense under pressure. Sunil Chhetri scored the goal of the game with a beautiful curler that went in off the far post. Oman regained the lead in the first half itself with an Al-Hosni penalty. With no more goals in the game, Oman got off to the best possible start to their qualifying campaign while India now play Guam in five days time.

Here are the five talking points of the game:

Inexperience in defence led to India’s downfall

With only captain Arnab Mondal having caps against his name, it was always going to be difficult for the backline to keep the fluid Oman attack in check. Their task was made harder when they conceded in just 25 seconds. It was the opposite of what Constantine would have asked them to do. However, they did redeem themselves with some good defending at times.

With all the players in their early or mid 20’s, it looks like Constantine is thinking about the future rather than the present. The players seem to grow into the game as it went on. It would be only fair to judge them after a few games.

Sunil Chhetri is by far the best player India has had for quite some time

Sunil Chhetri had scored 7 of the last 9 goals scored by the national team and he scored a spectacular one against the might Oman. With Oman losing the ball in their box, Chettri curled the ball with his “weaker left” foot. Oman captain, Ali Al-Habsi, stretched every muscle of his six and a half foot body, but the ball went in off the post.

Chhetri has been India’s go-to man for quite a while now, but India are to mount a serious challenge for a World Cup or AFC Asian cup place others will have to step up and take responsibility. With the likes of Jakichand Singh, Robin Singh and Jeje Lalpekhlua, India have players who can share the goal scoring load and with the experience of playing teams like Oman they are likely to improve with time.

Oman’s attack is good enough to trouble even Iran

Oman’s attacking trio have collectively played 223 times for their country and it showed. They were brilliant in building up the play together. They held up the ball really well and even made a lot of runs in behind the defence.

There was a phase in the second half where they were able to maintain possession in India’s 18-yard area comfortably. When India travel to Oman for the second leg, Constantine will have to come up with a plan to stop Oman’s trinity if he wants a positive result there.

Ganesh should start the next game

When Dhanpal Ganesh was introduced in the second half, India seemed to gain more control of the match. He was doing the running around, throwing himself into tackles and switching the game from one wing to the other.

His introduction freed up Eugeneson Lyngdoh, who started become more influential as the game reached its conclusion. Ganesh has definitely given the manager something to think about for the game against Guam in five days time.

Refereeing was not upto the expected standard

The refereeing the game was not as good as one would have hoped for. India scored an equalizer in the second half but was disallowed for offside. The referee’s assistant took at least 5 seconds to make up his mind whether to raise his flag or not.

It wasn't just India who were denied a goal. Oman had a very good shout for second half penalty as well, but their appeals