World Cup Qualifier 2019: Al Mandhar's late strikes sink India as Oman takes three points
The HinduTwo late goals, aided by defensive errors, saw Oman come from behind to take all three points in the first Group E FIFA World Cup qualifying match against India at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Thursday. With the keeper off his line, Chhetri found Udanta on the right but, after skipping a challenge, he saw his shot bounce off the bar and away from any waiting teammate.Minutes later, Ashique ran behind the Oman defence once again. With the keeper running to the edge of the box, he chipped in a cross but found no takers.Twenty-four minutes in, Ashique attacked the visitor's right-back Abdulaziz Al Gheilani once again, was promptly brought down and a yellow card followed.From the freekick, Chhetri ran out of the crowd in the box, latched onto Brandon Fernandes' pass along the floor and smacked a left-foot shot into the goal. Al-Mandhar Al Alawi brought down the ball, saw Gurpreet come off his line and chipped it into an empty net.Back on level terms and with the upper hand, Oman pressed to find a late winner.On the ninety-minute mark, Al Alawi ran down the left-wing and he danced his way past Rahul Bheke to fire in a curler into the top corner.