FIFA World Cup qualifier: India 1-2 Turkmenistan - 5 Talking Points

Turkmenistan make merry on the wings

Against Iran in their previous match, the Blue Tigers were cut open often at the wings. Today was no different. The likes of Didar Durdiyev and Astanov regularly got the better of the Indian fullbacks. Their opening goal, in fact, was a result of a well-worked move from the right.

Didar Durdiyev did brilliantly to send in a floater and caught the entire Indian back four napping. The lack of communication between keeper Gurpreet and his defenders was evident on that move. With the Indian’s flooding the centre of the park, the visitors outnumbered their opponents on the wings which proved to be a well thought out tactic by coach Kocumow.

This is one area where the Indian’s will be looking to improve. They seem to be a tad bit slow in closing down their opponents at the flanks thus giving them ample time to deliver from the wings.