FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers: India skipper Sunil Chhetri admits Oman defeat 'difficult to swallow'
FirstpostChhetri’s splendid first-half strike went in vain as India surrendered a one-goal advantage to lose the home-leg game 1-2. Guwahati: Indian captain Sunil Chhetri found it difficult to accept while coach Igor Stimac called it a “shame” after they lost to Oman despite taking lead in their 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifications opening fixture on Thursday. Stimac, who was part of the Croatian team that reached the 1998 World Cup semifinals, said, “I hope whole India has new face of the national team. The mentality probably set in that we had to hold the 1-0 lead.” India will next travel to Doha to face world Cup hosts Qatar in their next qualifier on 10 September, with Afghanistan and Bangladesh being the other two teams that make up Group E. “It’s probably the most difficult match, playing Qatar away in Doha.