Jordan 2-1 India: 5 Talking Points

#2 India badly missed Chhetri and Balwant

Despite Nishu Kumar's goal, India needed a clinical striker to get the equalizing goal

Stephen Constantine started with 4-2-3-1 formation leaving youngster Anirudh Thapa as a lone striker. Jerry Lalrinzuala and Jackichand Singh were on the two sides to help him. Anirudh may have been impressive with his performance for Chennaiyin FC, but he is not someone who can carry his nation on his shoulder.

The pint-sized footballer had little to do in the first half, which was dominated by Jordan. He moved from one side to the other and didn’t touch the ball for a major period in the first half.

Jerry was also unimpressive from the left wing and failed to show the aggressive attitude which was expected from him. Constantine replaced him with Kuruniyan before the start of the second half and that is where the game was changed.

Kuruniyan coupled with Anirudh and Germanpreet Singh moved to left as Constantine opted for a 4-4-2 formation. That bore fruit as India looked more dangerous in the opponent’s half and even created few chances. Kuruniyan was lively on the pitch despite not getting enough recovery time. Thapa also got his rhythm back and the duo started flashing their talents.

Alas, there was no one who could score! There was no Jeje who would control the ball in the opponent’s half. There was no Balwant who would make the darting runs towards the goal mouth. And the person who can do both was sitting at his home probably biting his nails after watching so many chances get wasted.

Despite a spirited performance, India missed a goal scorer like Sunil Chhetri or Balwant. Only Constantine knows why there was no Balwant or Jeje on the bench. At least they could’ve been on for a few minutes in the second half.