Missing Ashique Out There
55’ You can see what a difference Ashique’s presence made up front in the Asian Cup. His high energy meant India could press the opposition harder and more often in their own half, and created opportunities for a turnover.
Anirudh Thapa of the Indian football team celebrates his goal against Thailand. Get highlights and analysis of the India vs Thailand King's Cup third-place playoff match below.
Indian football team beat Thailand 1-0 to finish third in the 2019 King's Cup in Buriram, Thailand, on June 8. Anirudh Thapa scored the winner in the first half. (Get highlights and analysis of the India vs Thailand King's Cup third-place playoff match below)
India went into the break with a 1-0 lead after Thapa scored for India, almost against the run of play. Thailand had quite a bit of chances after the goal but failed to convert, with defender Adil Khan making a few timely challenges.
India registered a second successive win over Thailand. The side ends the campaign with one win from two games, a goal difference of -1 and a first win on the books for new coach Igor Stimac.
It was a disappointing tournament for the hosts, who lost to Vietnam as well.
55’ You can see what a difference Ashique’s presence made up front in the Asian Cup. His high energy meant India could press the opposition harder and more often in their own half, and created opportunities for a turnover.
56’ And here we go: Jackichand Singh comes on for Raynier Fernandes. Raynier had a great impact against Curacao in the second half but has been somewhat subdued today. Instead Vinit Rai has been influential in the midfield for India.
57’ On cue, Amrinder goes down with injury. But even before Kamaljit can get up though Amrinder does. No subs there boss.
59’ Stimac has one substitution left and we would love to see Sahal come on. Just to see how he fits in alongside Amarjit, Thapa and Vinit. That trio could be te Indian midfield of the future. Just out of curiosity it would be nice to seem them now.
60’ Thailand are playing around and getting to India’s box comfortably. But around that area they lose composure, and either play bad balls or shoot punts. They do the latter now.
61’ It could also be said that India’s defence are doing a good job holding their line.
62’ And as that goes up, Thailand break clear. Long ball from the back falls to Dangda, who pulls Adil out of position cuts back and puts a delightful ball into the box. The man running in from the right plants a soft header into Amrinder’s grateful palms.
63’ Thailand have a freekick on the left. Sumanya delivers… long. Wasted.
65’ Thailand skip clear on the right, the cutback is cleared by Jhingan. Seconds after a cross almost finds Dangda, but Amrinder collects.
67’ India get some of the ball and Vinit plays a brilliant reverse ball, but no one is in the box. That was good vision. But no off the ball running.
69’ Disaster for Thailand! Almost! They try and play the ball out from the back, the ball is passed to the goalkeeper, who makes a hash of it! What was he trying? Was it a feint? In any case the ball slips under his foot and rolls towards goal in slow motion. But Thongsong bravely slides in and hits his shins into the post while dragging the ball clear! Great save from disaster. And he has injured himself badly in the process.
72’ Thapa does some highlight reel stuff around India’s box rolling two Thailand players around. Plays out a bad pass though.
75’ Supchai, with a brilliant first touch opens up space for a shot. But he shoots wide.
76’ Superbly launched counter by Vinit, who wins the ball cuts away from his marker and frees up Thapa on the right. Thapa plays a great ball into the box to Jackichand, whose first touch isn’t the best. Regardless he crosses to Thapa who is wide to the right. Thapa crosses and Thailand clear. Too many crosses and no one at the end of them in an useful area.
77’ India win a freekick on the left. Thapa plays it into the box, and Jhingan keeps it in play. India keep the ball in Thailand’s corner. Thailand win the ball back, but the relentless pressing forces them to clear wildly.
79’ India are just locking up now. It’s pretty clear what the plan is.
80’ Vinit has been good today. Definitely the standout player from the Indian midfield.
81’ Amarjit wins a freekick in a central area. Straight to the goalkeeper though. No business shooting from 30 yards out.
82’ Sahal is on by the way. Sorry we missed that. So now India’s midfield is Sahal, Vinit Rai, Amarjit Kiyam, Jackichand and Anirudh Thapa. Average age: Do the math, But damn young and exciting, we say!
Adil Khan Gets Penalised for time wasting by the ref.
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