#1 Not Starting Jeje and Udanta
Jeje played his 50th international game for India, but it wasn’t a memorable one as he failed to make an impact after coming on in the second half. Meanwhile, Udanta, who came on early in the first half was not at his best and had a quiet game as India kept playing aimless long balls to the strikers.
Jeje is vital to India’s long ball strategy as he can hold up play, bringing in the wingers and Chhetri into play. Balwant was also often seen stranded alone in the flanks, which forced him to play long balls.
India tried to rectify their mistakes later in the second half, but till then the All Whites were prepared and had all the answers to whatever little India produced in the attacking third. Udanta was seldom given space to run into, and Jeje and Chhetri were marked closely.