India stun Qatar 2-1 in international football friendly

DOHA: India stunned Qatar 2-1 in an international football friendly in one of the most memorable victories by the country over a top Asian side on Sunday.

Sunil Chhetri put India ahead in the 16th minute when he converted a penalty kick before Sushil Kumar Singh struck in the 73rd minute at the Al Sadd Stadium.

Qatar pulled one back in the 74th minute through Ibrahim Khalfan.

India had not beaten a top Asian side for a long time and it would boost new coach Armando Colaco's side ahead of their double-leg World Cup qualifiers against United Arab Emirates at Al Ain near Dubai on July 23 and in New Delhi on July 28.

Qatar are ranked 94th in the world and ninth in Asia while India are now at 147th at FIFA rankings.

-TOI

Indian National Team: Armando Colaco’s Boys Stun Higher Ranked Qatar In A Practice Match

The new coach seems to have got the combination right as India have stunned Qatar in their own backyard…

 

India have created history by beating Qatar, ranked 53 places higher, away from home at Al Sadd Stadium, Doha on Sunday evening.

The last time the Indian senior team won an international match away from home was back in 2004 against Kuwait with the scoreline reading 3-2 wherein Tomba Singh, Jerry Zirzanga and Abhishek Yadav were the scorers.

Armando Colaco seems to have got the right mix as he has led India to a victory over a much stronger opponent which shall definitely boost the team’s confidence going into the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers against UAE.

The Dempo coach made one change in the line-up from the match against Maldives as he started with Lalrindika Ralte on the right wing in place of Steven Dias. Mehtab Hussain and Climax Lawrence were the two central midfielders while Jeje Lalpekhlua and Sunil Chhetri were the two strikers.

Surprisingly, Qatar left out their star midfielder Fabio Caesar and Sebastian Soria on the bench.

Just as in the previous match, India didn’t take long to open the scoring as Sunil Chhetri’s coolly taken penalty in the 16th minute. This was after Debabrata Roy was brought down inside the box by Qatar skipper Bilal Mohamed.

Chhetri Scores The Opening Goal...

India dominated the proceedings until the half hour mark and could have doubled the lead when Lalrindika Ralte unleashed a left footer which just about sailed over the bar after a quick one-two with Chhetri.

Qatar looked to get back into the match thereafter but their efforts failed to bore any fruits in the first half with the scoreline being in favour of the visitors.

Colaco, in his attempt to use as many players ahead of the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers against UAE, went on to change as many as 10 players with only Subrata Paul being the constant from the team that started. Jewel Raja, Mahesh Gawli, Valeriano Rebello, Baljit Sahni, Sushil Kumar, Clifford Miranda, Peter Carvalho, Rowilson Rodrigues, Robert L and Harmanjot Khabra made their way in.

Well Done, Boys!

It was in the 73rd minute that India did eventually manage to double their lead when Baljit Sahni’s assist saw Sushil Kumar complete the move with a neat placement after Harmanjot Khabra did well to cross from the left.

Qatar did manage to pull one back through Khalfan Ibrahim Khalfan of Al Sadd who is a former Asian Player of the Year.

While Qatar were left to brood over the defeat, it is certainly a proud moment for India as they surprised the West Asian nation with a shock win.

 

 -Goal

 

Qatar win: ‘Wanted people to know we can do well’

Even the staunch advocates of a foreign coach for the Indian football team would have had to chew their words on seeing the way the boys performed against hosts Qatar on Sunday.
Not many long balls — just clinical passing, deft touches, rock solid defending and more importantly, it was self belief that did the trick for India in their stunning 2-1 victory over 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar, ranked 94th in the world.
Colaco’s wards played out of their skin and made their hosts walked out of the stadium with their heads hanging in shame. For the cash rich Qatar, who returned home after a lavish month-long training in Europe, this was a huge blow ahead of their World Cup qualifying match against Vietnam on July 23. India, meanwhile, will play UAE in Al Ain on the same day.
Qatar coach Milovan Rajevac— who coached 2010 World Cup quarterfinalists Ghana — also hailed India’s performance saying, “It was a great show from India. They were very well-organised in their attack and defence.” Something that the UAE coach Srecko Katanec would have also noticed from the stands.
With this being a friendly, the rules were altered to any number of substitutions and Colaco decided to give all his players a chance. The entire starting line-up was changed for the second half barring skipper and custodian Subrata Pal.
“I wanted to see each and everyone so that I can also be confident before the World Cup qualifiers against UAE. The first half was simply exceptional,” said an elated Colaco.“I want the people of India to know that we also can do well.”
Sunil Chhetri put India in the lead through a penalty in the 16th minute and Sushil Kumar doubled the lead in the second half. Qatar scored a consolation goal through Muhammed Razark.

-DNA