CALCUTTA (India): India’s dream to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar next round is virtually over following a 1-0 defeat against Oman on Tuesday at Sultan Qaboos Stadium in Muscat.
The victory helped Oman progress to the third round of the qualifiers as one of the four best second-placed teams.
Mohsin Al Ghassani scored the only goal of the match in the 33rd minute as India failed to equalise like what they did against Bangladesh and Afghanistan in their previous two group games.
The visitors conceded a penalty six minutes into the match following Rahul Bheke’s tackle on Ghassani. But he skied his effort and from there on, both sides had opportunities to open the scoring.
Ghassani, however, made up for his penalty miss as he slotted the ball past Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
The defeat in their Group E fixture meant that India still await their first victory of the Asian qualifiers, having drawn three and lost two.
India had also to Oman 2-1 in their home match on September 5. Three of their draws came against Qatar (0-0), Bangladesh (1-1) and Afghanistan (1-1).
The win took Oman to 12 points, one behind Asian champions Qatar, who edged Afghanistan 1-0 in the other group tie in Dushanbe, Tajikstan.
India pressed in the second half, but didn’t really threaten the Omani defence.
India next play group leaders Qatar on March 26 at home while Oman will be in action five days later against Afghanistan.
