Oman defeated India 2-1 in the FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifier match played at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium at Sarusajai in Guwahati.
Despite leading the match 1-0 with 24th-minute strike by captain Sunil Chhetri, a late brace by Al-Mandhar handed India a defeat in their opening match of the World Cup qualifier.
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This was Chhetri’s 72nd goal in his career.
However, in the second half, Oman discouraged India by 2-1 lead.
In the 82nd minute of the match, Al-Mandhar scored to equalize Oman’s deficit.
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82′ Al- Mandhar scores to equalize Oman’s deficit.
?? 1-1 ??#INDOMA ? #BackTheBlue ? #IndianFootball ? #BlueTigers ? #WCQ ??
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) September 5, 2019
To boost the confidence of Oman’s players, Al-Mandhar took only 8 minutes to score his second of the match and handed his team lead against Blue Tigers 2-1.
90′ Al-Mandhar scores his second of the match to hand Oman the lead.
?? 1-2 ??#INDOMA ? #BackTheBlue ? #IndianFootball ? #BlueTigers ? #WCQ ??
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) September 5, 2019
The match will serve as joint qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023.
The last meeting between the two sides was friendly and ended in a goalless draw.
India has never won a match against Oman in a FIFA-recognised match.
The hosts lost both their matches to the visitors during the qualification for the 2018 World Cup.
This was Sunil Chhetri’s 112th game for India.
HT: A delightful @chetrisunil11 goal in the 24th-minute puts India ahead at the end of the first half.
?? 1-0 ??#INDOMA ? #BackTheBlue ? #IndianFootball ? #BlueTigers ? #WCQ ?? pic.twitter.com/AmVTkfb5Fj
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) September 5, 2019