Intercontinental Cup 2018: India vs New Zealand, 5 Talking Points

India and New Zealand played out a thoroughly entertaining game of football in Thursday's Intercontinental Cup clash. At the end of the clash, the game finished 1-2 to the Kiwis.

Stephen Constantine had made seven changes as his team had virtually secured a place in the final and India had taken the lead courtesy of a freak goal from their captain, Sunil Chhetri. The captain thus netted the 62nd international goal of his career but could not inspire his team to a victory.

New Zealand, who had made four changes in their line-up, replied instantly with a goal of their own. The visitors secured all three points late on, courtesy of a clever goal from Dyer in the 85th minute. In doing so, he handed India their first loss of the tournament.

The All Whites thus went top of the table with six points from two matches. India also have the same number of points in their kitty but the Blue Tigers are placed second (New Zealand are ahead on head-to-head results).

Meanwhile, Jeje reached a landmark in his career as he was presented with his 50th international cap. The Mizo sniper was initially named on the bench but he was substituted in place of an ineffective Balwant Singh after the halfway mark.

Here are the major talking points from tonight's match.

#1 India under the cosh from the very first second

The fans once again turned in numbers, anticipating yet another dominating performance from the Blue Tigers. However, it was the Kiwis who took the initiative tonight, managing to create three clear opportunities inside the first two minutes of the game.

New Zealand played with clarity. Time and again, they targeted India's right wing, whipping in dangerous crosses with relative ease. A large part of this was down to the home sides tactic of defending narrowly, hoping to pile on the numbers in the middle of the park.

As a result, New Zealand surprisingly were under no pressure on the wings and put this to good use in the first half. Stand-in-keeper, Amrinder Singh didn't look absolutely confident in dealing with the aerial balls and this further added to his team's early troubles.

#2 Sarpreet Singh the standout player for New Zealand

Tonight, a certain 19-year old ran riot on the right wing, causing numerous problems for India from the get-go. Sarpreet Singh was as lively as he could be. Unlike today's modern-day wingers who have the pace and trickery to get past their markers, Sarpreet displayed none of those attributes.

What he does possess is immaculate crossing abilities which he put to splendid use against India. Every time he received the ball, the attacking midfielder took no more than two touches before whipping in a cross.

He continued to test India's diminutive back-line and found a lot of success when doing so. Having recently represented New Zealand at the U-20 World Cup last year, it's safe to say the Kiwis have at their disposal, a calm and calculated player capable of turning the tide with a single pass.

#3 Wasteful Kiwis let India off the hook in first half

For the umpteenth time tonight, New Zealand consistently whipped in dangerous crosses into India's box and every time they did so, they failed to make the most of it. Given the circumstances, the men in white ought to have taken their chances, which arrived in dozens all through the first half.

Fortunately for India, their opponents failed to keep their calm in the final third and lacked that elusive killer's instinct inside the box. The Blue Tiger's looked nervous and found it arduous to keep the crosses at bay.

To say the least, this was India's worst defensive performance in this tournament so far. They could have easily conceded a handful had New Zealand punished them for their weak structure.

#4 Goalkeeping error gifts Sunil a freak goal

Continuing with his impeccable goal scoring form, India's captain scored yet another goal, giving India that elusive opening goal. That he had no idea about it is all together another story worth writing about.

New Zealand's third choice goal-keeper, Michale Cornelis gifted Sunil a freak goal. His poor clearance was smashed right onto Chhetri's body and zipped back into his own goal. Credit to the striker though for closing down the space and pressurising Michale into clearing the ball first time.

India's lead didn't last long though. In form,Sarpreet Singh played in a defence splitting through ball for De Jong who coolly slotted his shot past Amrinder Singh to give his side a crucial equaliser.

#5 India's bench didn't do much to stake their claim

Having already secured their place in the final, coach, Stephen Constantine decided to make seven changes for tonight's clash against New Zealand. Unfortunately, not a single one of them managed to truly influence the game.

Subhasish Bose, Salam Ranjan Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Md. Rafique, Balwant Singh - All of them were handed an opportunity to impress. Among them, Thapa was the sole player who displayed intent and contributed more towards the defence.

Balwant Singh had a night to forget and was rightly substituted, making way for the Miso sniper, Jeje. In the larger scheme of things, Constantine will need to get more out of his bench. There seems to be a huge gulf in quality compared to the starting 11. Whether it's to do with confidence or skill, only time will tell.

Edited by Sagnik Kundu