Oman has flushed out Indian chances of playing in FIFA World Cup 2022. But India’s chances remain alive to get a berth in 2023 Asian Cup Qualifiers.
On Wednesday, November 20, 2019, Oman outplayed India 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches played at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat.
India is now placed in 4th place in Group E table with 3 points out of the 5 matches played. The loss to Oman has slipped Indian Chances of making it to the second round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
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This was the last match for India in FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers. Next matches for India will be played against Qatar (March 26, 2020), Bangladesh (June 4, 2020) and Afghanistan (June 9, 2020). These match results will decide the fate of India for 2023 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Talking about the Muhsen Al-Ghassani’s goal for Oman, Sports analysts term it as controversial. In the 33rd minute of the match, Ghassani scored a goal against India which looked like an offside goal. But however, the match referees have declared it as a legal goal and hence the match resulted in Oman’s favour.
The Indian football player’s efforts to score a goal went in vain. Oman players kept the attack on and the Indian player’s defence was tested every time. Though the way the goal was scored remains questionable or controversial, India has to face a defeat and exit the qualifiers.
India has to wait again for some time to play its International World Cup Matches. India is a growing nation with respect to football matches. Cricket is the largest viewing sport in India. Though football is a sport by and large confined to West Bengal State in India, now these qualifying matches have boosted hope for the Sport in India.