CAFA Nations Cup: India create history on debut! Podium finish after dramatic shootout win over Oman | Football News

Indian soccer workforce (Pic credit score: AIFF)

NEW DELHI: India etched their title in Central Asian soccer history on Monday, by securing a bronze medal of their maiden look on the CAFA Nations Cup. The Blue Tigers defeated higher-ranked Oman 3-2 on penalties after the third-place playoff ended 1-1 on the Hisor Central Stadium in Hisor, Tajikistan.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The night noticed loads of drama as Udanta Singh Kumam’s Eightieth-minute header cancelled out Jameel Al Yahmadi’s opener within the fifty fifth minute, taking the competition into additional time. Oman have been decreased to 10 males when Ali Al Busaidi was despatched off within the 96th minute, however regardless of India’s late dominance, the match went to a penalty shootout.In the shootout, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rahul Bheke, and Jithin MS held their nerves to attain for India, whereas Anwar Ali’s effort was saved and Udanta fired huge. For Oman, solely Thani Al Rushaidi and Muhsen Al Ghassani transformed, with Harib Al Saadi and Ahmed Al Kaabi lacking the goal. The decisive second got here when Indian skipper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu dived full stretch to save lots of Al Yahmadi’s last kick, sparking wild celebrations as India sealed a historic podium finish.The match itself was an end-to-end affair. India started brightly, with Vikram Partap Singh and Chhangte troubling the Omani defence on the flanks. An early probability fell to defender Anwar Ali, whose highly effective header was beautifully saved by goalkeeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini. Oman, nonetheless, responded by way of Issam Al Sabhi and Nasser Al Rawahi, testing Sandhu, who stored India within the contest with essential saves.Oman struck first after the restart, when Abdullah Fawaz’s deft flick launched Al Yahmadi to attain on the far submit. But head coach Khalid Jamil’s substitutions paid dividends, as Danish Farooq’s flick-on from Rahul Bheke’s lengthy throw allowed Udanta to equalize with a courageous header, confirmed after a prolonged VAR verify.With Busaidi’s purple card tilting the steadiness, India pressed for a winner in additional time however failed to interrupt by way of. Ultimately, the night time belonged to Sandhu, whose last save ensured India a outstanding third-place finish at their CAFA Nations Cup debut.