Asian Cup 2019: 5 Things We Learned as India lose to UAE  

#4 India troubled by long/aerial balls

Sandesh Jhingan and Anas Edathodika were tested by long balls at multiple times. Photo Courtesy: Indian football Twitter handle

No one would have forgotten Thailand's only goal against India in the first match - a free kick that came down into Gurpreet's box. The two goals Blue Tigers conceded against the hosts too began from long balls into the box.

Some poor communication from Anas Edathodika cost India an easy one past the Indian custodian in the 41st minute. The 31-year old stopper made a defensive lapse to leave the UAE attacker to be marked by Sandesh Jhingan. The duo didn't work well as UAE opened the scoring.

Towards the end of the game in the 88th minute, another overhead pass that caused India further trouble resulted in the second goal. This time, Ahmed Mabkhout received a ball from behind the centre line, only to be closed down by Pritam Kotal just behind. Though Kotal marked his presence, nothing could be done by the right back to stop the second goal at India's heart.

UAE had this strategy early on from the game. Within the initial minutes of the first half, the Indian defence was well tested by long balls from the centre line. Jhingan and Anas were forced to guard the ball on multiple times, to let Gurpreet collect the ball, coming off the line.