Winless in four games so far in an increasingly disappointing campaign, the Indian football team faces higher-ranked Oman in a do-or-die World Cup qualifying round match here on Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A first-half strike from Sunil Chhetri gave India hopes of beating Oman in the first leg in Guwahati in September but it ultimately turned out to be so-near-yet-so-far as the Gulf nation struck twice in the final 10 minutes to outwit the home side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
India, on the other hand, are struggling after an impressive goal-less draw against Asian champions Qatar as they needed late equalisers in their identical 1-1 draws against lower-ranked Bangladesh and Afghanistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After three draws and a defeat, India are fourth in the Group E table with three points while Oman are second with nine points from four matches. Qatar are on top with 10 points from four matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An upset win over Oman will certainly keep Igor Stimac’s side in the hunt for a next round berth but a loss will virtually send India out of reckoning as far as the 2022 World Cup qualification is concerned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If India lose, they will trail Oman by nine points and have only three matches maximum nine points left to play in this second round of the qualifiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But getting a least a point against Oman may prove crucial as it will make it easier for India to get an automatic third round berth for the 2023 Asian Cup qualifiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This campaign is also a joint qualifying round for the 2023 Asian Cup and the third-placed teams and the best four fourth placed teams from the eight groups automatically get a spot in the third round of the qualifiers of the continental championships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stimac’s side has struggled not just in defence but four matches into this campaign, it is also clear that its offence is also not in the best of form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
India is no longer dependent on only Chhetri to score the goals but the inability to convert the chances has cost the team dear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stimac has no illusion about who is the favourite on Tuesday but he is also hoping that his players will convert the chances which come their way and score goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Oman are much better now than the team we played against in Guwahati. They are the favourites. We know for a fact that match is going to be very difficult for us,” the high profile Croatian coach said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Historically too, India are the underdogs, having not won any of the 11 matches they have played against Oman who have emerged victorious on eight occasions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before the Guwahati match in September, the two sides played out a 0-0 draw in the run-up to the 2019 Asian Cup in the UAE. In the two legs of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers played in 2015, India had lost to Oman 0-3 in Muscat before a 1-2 defeat in Bangalore.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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