Abu Dhabi: India finished their preparations for the upcoming Asian Cup Football Championship by holding a superior Oman to a goalless draw in their final warm-up game, here Thursday.
India, currently ranked 97th in FIFA charts, held their own against the 82nd ranked Oman by creating a few chances while both goalkeepers Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Amrinder Singh pulled off a few good saves to keep the scoresheet clean.
Oman had earlier won three games on the trot before Blue Tigers stopped their juggernaut. Coach Stephen Constantine gave chance to most of his players during the warm-up game which was played closed doors in order to keep cards close to his chest. India’s first attempt at Oman citadel was in the 17th minute when Sunil Chhetri tried a long ranger from the top of the box but it sailed over.
Indian team made a few raids at the stroke of half an hour, earning a couple of free-kicks but Oman defence was equal to the task. The ‘Blue Tigers’ earned their first corner in the 42nd minute but Aniruddh Thapa’s corner didn’t create much danger. Constantine rung in triple change after the first 45 minutes. Reserve striker Balwant Singh came in the second half in place of Jeje Lalpheklhua, who was largely ineffective during the first 45 minutes. Germanpreet Singh was also introduced in place of first choice defensive screen Pronay Halder while Gurpreet replaced Amrinder under the bar.
True to his reputation, Gurpreet thwarted what looked like a sure-shot goal with a terrific save in the 52nd minute. India tried to hit on the counter in the 58th minute when Udanta Singh sped past a defender to set one up for Balwant, who failed to react timely. Udanta was a livewire down wide right as he raced down to send across but the Oman goalkeeper gathered before Chhetri could meet the delivery.
India’s best chance came in the 77th minute when left winger Ashique Karuniyan kept an assist for Balwant, who set up a sitter for Udanta but his shot missed the target by a whisker. Oman did create an opportunity during the final moments but Gurpreet was equal to the task to prevent any damage.
Constantine announces a 23-member squad
Stressing on continuity, chief coach Stephen Constantine has announced a 23-member Indian football team, to be spearheaded by the seasoned Sunil Chhetri, for the upcoming AFC Asian
Cup. The Asian Cup is scheduled to be held in the UAE from 5 January 5 to 1 February. India play their first match against Thailand on 6 January, with matches against hosts UAE and Bahrain slotted for 10 January and 14 January, respectively.
“We are looking forward to the massive tournament. We hope these 23 boys will do a good job for us,” said Stephen Constantine.
| SQUAD :
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Vishal Kaith, Amrinder Singh Defenders: Pritam Kotal, Sarthak Golui, Sandesh Jhingan, Anas Edathodika, Salam Ranjan Singh, Subhashish Bose, Narayan Das Midfielders: Udanta Singh, Jackiechand Singh, Germanpreet Singh, Pronay Halder, Anirudh Thapa, Vinit Rai, Rowllin Borges, Ashique Kuruniyan, Halicharan Narzary Forwards: Sumeet Passi, Balwant Singh, Sunil Chhteri, Jeje Lalpekhlua. |