VIDEO: Oman 5-1 India (TV report)

Oman yesterday beat India 5-1 in an international friendly. Here the Indian goal from Joaquim Abranches and four of the five Omani goals in a television report from a Keralite news program!

Oman win 5-1 against experimental Team India

Oman scored a comprehensive 5-1 victory against India in an international friendly at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat. The match kicked-off very early at 13.30 local time, but on a sunny, windy afternoon the weather cannot be blamed for India's heavy defeat.

India coach Savio Medeira send out an experimental side against an experienced Oman. Due to niggles Sunil Chhetri, Lalrindika Ralte and Nirmal Chetri were rested along with livewire Syed Rahim Nabi to give the youngsters in the squad a chance to show themselves in an international friendly ahead of the team selection.

Samir Naik led India for the first time onto the field, but it was Oman who started with a bang as they were two-nil up just within seven minutes. First Mohammed Al-Ghassani headed home in the fifth minute and only two minutes later Ismail Al Ajmi doubled the lead with Oman all over India in the initial period. It seemed India could be heading for a heavy defeat, but the young Indian side slowly found their way into the match with Sushil Kumar Singh making the first attempt goalwards on the quarter hour mark.

Thereafter Oman remained the better side, but India made their forays into the Oman half with Jewel Raja playing a key role in midfield and it was him who had the best chance for India in the first session. It remained 2-0 for Oman at the break.

There were no substitutions at the break. Oman remained dangerous with India often averting danger at the last moment or Karanjit Singh there in goal. But it was once more Ismail Al Ajmi who made it 3-0 for Oman in the 59th minute and it looked all over for India. Still India did not give-up and were rewarded in the 64th minute when lively striker Joaquim Abranches scored of a pass from substitute Syed Rahim Nabi. Thereafter it was an open game with chances on both sides, but late in the game Oman did score a couple of more goals. First it was Hasan Rabie, who scored from header after missing a couple of simple chances, in the 88th minute and the final nail in the coffin came from substitute Abdullah Thuwaini a minute into injury time.

The 5-1 scoreline is a little too harsh on India, but on the other hand Oman could have easily scored a few more goals. A lot of work remains for Savio Medeira and his men, who next play Azerbaijan on Monday, February 27 in their last preparatory match ahead of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal.


MATCH STATS

Oman 5-1 (2-0) India - Goals: 1-0 Mohammed Al-Ghassani (5'), 2-0,3-0 Ismail Al Ajmi (7',59'), 3-1 Joaquim Abranches (65'), 4-1 Hasan Rabie (88'), 5-1 Abdullah Thuwaini (90+1')

INDIA
1-Karanjit Singh; 16-Samir Naik [C], 5-Anwar, 19-Gouramangi Singh, 27-Gurjinder Singh; 12-Anthony Pereira (61' 22-Syed Rahim Nabi), 7-Baldeep Singh (50' 47-Lenny Rodrigues), 28-Jewel Raja Sheikh, 10-Lester Mark Fernandez (57' 26-Francis Fernandes); 18-Sushil Kumar Singh (81' 50-Manandeep Singh), 9-Joaquim Abranches

Savio Medeira to rest injured players, to test others against Oman

Team India will be taking on a strong Oman national team in an international friendly at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat at 13.30 local time (15.00 IST) tomorrow.

For the hosts Oman it is part of their preparations for their final 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Thailand on February 29, while India is using the match as part of its ongoing preparatory camp in Dubai for the upcoming 2012 AFC Challenge Cup in Kathmandu, Nepal. India have another international friendly lined-up against Azerbaijan on February 27 in Dubai.

India coach Savio Medeira isn't willing to risk fielding a full-strength side. Keeping in mind the future challenges ahead he has decided to rest AIFF Player-of-the-Year Sunil Chhetri, winger Lalrindika Ralte and stopper Nirmal Chetri. "All of them have some niggles. We are here to prepare for the AFC Challenge Cup. I don't want to risk them in an international friendly against Oman. The more time they get, the more will they recover," said Savio.

In fact Savio plans to experimenting a bit in this match. "We have plenty of young talented players who are eager to perform at the big stage. Our emphasis would be to find the right mix of players keeping our future endeavors in mind," Savio maintained.

In the FIFA world rankings Oman are currently ranked 95 and were winners of the 2009 Gulf Cup at home. "They are a superior side. They are much more technically equipped. We need to keep in mind they would be playing on their home ground and would have a home support," Savio added.

The Omani's are being coached by former French international Paul le Guen since June 2011, who coached at Stade Renne, Olympique Lyonnais, Glasgow Rangers, FC Paris Saint-Germain before going on to coach Cameroon at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The biggest name in Omani football is in goal in their goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi, who currently plays for Wigan Athletic and has years of English Premier League experience.

The match will kick-off at 13.30 local time (15.00 IST) and there will be shown a live telecast on TenAction+.

Team India arrive in Omani capital Muscat

The Indian national football team arrived in the Omani capital Muscat today for an international friendly against Oman to be played on February 23. The 30-member probables squad have been camping in Dubai as part of their preparation for the forthcoming 2012 AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal.

Meanwhile the hosts Oman have made some changes to the match kick-off timing and venue to prepare for their upcoming final 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Thailand. As the qualifier would be played at 1.30 pm at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on February 29, the India friendly would also be played at the same time and venue on February 23.

India Coach Savio Medeira, feels the friendly would help India gear up for the upcoming tournament in a major way. "The match against Oman forms an integral part of our preparation for the forthcoming AFC Challenge Cup. This apart, we have another international friendly lined up against Azerbaijan on February 27."

"Both the matches would help us gauge our progress," Savio added.

The Middle Eastern side Oman are presently ranked 95 in the FIFA World rankings while India are in the 154th spot. A tough match looks to be ahead for a new look India squad.

Since February 16 India has been going through various training sessions in Dubai, under the watchful eyes of coach Savio Medeira and physical trainer Pradip Dutta.

Medeira sounded pleased when asked about the practice facilities in Dubai. "The team went through rigorous exercises and stay in good shape. They have responded well," he informed. "We have a tough task ahead. This is a young bunch and many would be playing their first International Match. We need to stay focused."