Intercontinental Cup 2019: India 2-5 Korea DPR | 3 Reasons why India lost 

#1 Failure to deal with the opposition press

Anirudh Thapa

While the other two reasons are poor performances on the field, this one is a case of concern for the team. Even in the future, the Blue Tigers will struggle if the coach doesn't have an answer to this strategy from the oppositions.

North Korea, as expected, played a pressing game against India. One of the players followed the ball at all times, even when there was minimum scope of winning possession. This brought real trouble to the team, especially the doubtful defence. Being pressurized was the reason why India had to play too many back passes. Pritam Kotal was the most disturbed player in this system, forced to pass the ball to Amrinder very often. The second-choice goalkeeper also trembled at the sight of a Korean player charging in.

In the midfield, India had very minimal options with a White shirt always following. Manvir Singh and Brandon Fernandes could never really get past their markers, unsettling the attack. The turning point in the second half came from India's quicker wingers. The few good moves from India came out of the quick runs from Chhangte and Udanta. In central midfield, it was Sahal and Thapa with quick movements.

It was clear that the Blues lacked confidence to face the charging opponents. The case was similar against Tajikistan in the second half, which makes it an issue for Stimac to deal with.