Manvir goal, India hold Oman

Dubai, March 24

The young Indian football team earned a creditable draw against the higher-ranked Oman, with Manvir Singh scoring the equaliser in the second half after a first-half own goal by India had given Oman the lead.

India, playing their first international match in over 400 days, were clearly the second-best in the first half but played with greater assurance in the second to draw the match.

Manvir Singh scored when he headed an accurate cross from Bipin Singh in the 55th minute to help India draw level against the run of play.

The goal, India’s first goal from open-play after 614 minutes, saved the game for India after Chinglensana Singh had scored an own-goal late in the first half.

India coach Igor Stimac started the match with six debutants, the most he has ever named in a starting XI while being in charge of India, and Amrinder Singh started ahead of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in goal.

India had a lucky save when, after a penalty was awarded to Oman, Al Muqbali hit straight to Amrinder without any power in the 27th minute. — TNS