India vs Jordan: 5 times India did badly in the absence of Sunil Chhetri

#2 Kyrgyzstan vs India (Asian Cup qualifier, March 27, 2018)

Jeje Lalpekhlua got on the score-sheet but was unable to inspire India to a victory

Result: Kyrgyzstan 2-1 India

India had already booked their ticket for Asian Cup before they faced Kyrgyzstan in their last group match of the qualifiers. But in their penultimate match at home against Myanmar on November 14, 2017, Chhetri earned a second yellow card, which effectively ruled him out of the Kyrgyzstan match.

The AFC rules state that a player can accumulate only two yellow cards in the group stage and the player guilty of doing that will have to sit one match out through suspension. Chhetri’s booking against Myanmar was his second booking in the group matches. Chhetri’s first caution was also received against the same opponents in a 1-0 win in Yangon, earlier in 2017.

Without Chhetri, the onus was on Jeje Lalpekhlua and Balwant Singh to score. During the match, two of Balwant’s goal were ruled out for offside. Jeje scored in the dying moments but it was not enough for the visiting side to avoid a defeat. Chhetri’s absence was felt badly as India lacked a potent striker in front of the goal.