Chetri scores a gem, but Indians go down fighting - Robin's 67th-minute strike ruled offside

Indian players celebrate Sunil Chetri's
goal, in Bangalore,. (PTI) 

TT, Calcutta/Bangalore: An early goal by Qasim Said when Indian defenders were still warming up to the game and a needless penalty given away was dispatched by Imad-Al Hosni as the Indians lost 1-2 in a World Cup qualifer against Oman, at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, in Bangalore, on Thursday. 

Sandwiched in between was a gem of a goal by Sunil Chetri midway through the first half. 

India did manage to put the ball into the back of the net in the second half but it was deemed offside with Robin Singh said to be interfering play.

It didn't take too long for the visitors to take the lead as they scored within the opening 25 seconds. The very first attack saw Qasim Said being allowed way too much space by Rino Anto as the Oman striker slotted it from between the legs of Subrata Paul in goal.

Oman started the game with great verve and their task was made easier with too much space being afforded to them.

The 10th minute saw Paul being called into action as Mohsin-al Khaldi looked to go for the far corner from a free-kick down the left but the Indian custodian did well to tip it for a corner.

Four minutes later, Arnab's scuffed interception allowed Al-Hosni to pick the pieces and slot it across goal. Qasim Said's effort just missed the far corner as the Indian defence failed to track the Oman striker.

However, India equalise against the run of play in the 26th minute. Anto's throw-in from the right saw Chetri cut in and let rip a fierce left-footed shot which struck the far post and went in.

Thereafter, India began to play with confidence and had a couple of half chances for Arnab Mondal and Robin Singh. Vineeth made a fantastic run down the right and crossed for Robin but Al Habsi came off his line to collect.

In the 38th minute, the Indian defence couldn't track the run of Al-Farsi and the Oman midfielder was allowed space to move into the box. Dhanachandra Singh was guilty of tripping and referee Ko Hyung Jin had little hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Emad Al Hosni smashed it in with Paul going the other way to give the visitors the lead once again.

Aziz Al-Muqbali was booked for a dive inside the box as the striker was closed down by Dhanachandra who cleared without getting a touch on the Oman striker. Oman once again started better of the two sides as Said eased past Sehnaj Singh's tackle and with the Indian defenders backing off before shooting from 20 yards or so as the ball went inches wide.

Jackichand drew a couple of defenders on the right before switching play to find Vineeth on the opposite flank. The Bengaluru FC attacker waited for a few seconds in indecision before deciding to shoot way off the target.

Jackichand once again got into the thick of action as he sent a peach of a through ball for Robin down the right. An alert Mohammed Al-Maqbali closed down Robin who was beaten for pace before clearing for a corner.

Said continued to haunt the Indian defense as he got past Anto to square it for Ahmed Mubarak who smashed it over the bar.

Oman were guilty of wasting the chances that came their way. Al-Maqbali was in a good position to shoot but instead pulled it back. Following a couple of poor clearances, the ball fell for Mohsin Al Khaldi whose shot from the edge of the box went inches over.

There was a moment of controversy in the 67th minute. From shot corner-kick, Lyngdoh played the ball for Ganesh whose first time pass for Vineeth saw the latter cross it inside the box. The ball took a touch of Sallam Al Mukhaini and went into the back of the net. However, the linesman raised his flag as he deemed Robin Singh in an offside position.