15 months after their last international match, India played Oman in a friendly fixture. In a game that saw Igor Stimac hand a debut to ten players, the national team came back from a goal down to draw 1-1.
Oman took the lead right before the half-time interval, thanks to an own goal by Chinglensana Singh. The debutant inadvertently diverted the ball past Amrinder Singh in the goal following a low cross by Zahir Al Aghbari. Meanwhile, Branko Ivankovic’s men had squandered a golden opportunity to take the lead earlier in the half, when Singh saved a penalty from Abdulaziz Al Muqbali.
India came back strongly in the second half and levelled through Manvir Singh in the 54th minute. The striker was fed an accurate cross by another debutant, Bipin Singh. The ATK Mohun Bagan man had no trouble heading the ball into the net from close range. The Blue Tigers managed to defend the scoreline, thanks in part to Chinglensana. The young defender made some superb blocks and interceptions to deny Oman from retaking the lead.
Stimac took the opportunity of the friendly match by handing a debut to ten new players. Aside from Chinglensana and Bipin Singh, Akash Mishra, Ashutosh Mehta, Mashoor Shereef, Suresh Wangjam, Jeakson Singh, Mohammad Yasir, Lalengmawia, and Ishan Pandita were handed their first caps.
India will take pride in the result against an opponent which had beaten them twice in recent years. The Blue Tigers lost both their AFC Asian Cup second round qualification matches against Oman, having been drawn in the same group.
Stimac’s men will face the United Arab Emirates in another friendly match in the current international break. The fixture is due to be played on March 29 in Dubai.
