Indian soccer staff hits new low: Chhetri and boys held to goalless draw by 205th ranked Sri Lanka

India produced one more disappointing efficiency as they had been held to a goalless draw by 205th ranked Sri Lanka regardless of a dominant show of their second SAFF Championships match right here on Thursday.
The seven-time champions paid the value of not creating sufficient possibilities and losing these they acquired in opposition to a Sri Lankan aspect 98 locations beneath them within the FIFA rankings.
Though they’ve a lion’s share of the ball possession, the 107th-ranked Indians had been ineffective from the set-pieces and did don’t a lot in open play both in opposition to their opponents, who solely have 5 nations ranked beneath them in a 210-team desk.
Igor Stimac’s full-strength staff continues to be looking for a win in two matches. They have drawn in opposition to 10-man Bangladesh 1-1 of their opening match on Monday, that has put strain on Stimac.
A loss or a draw in opposition to present desk toppers Nepal (six factors) on Sunday could make India troublesome to qualify for the ultimate. The high two groups from the round-robin league qualify for the ultimate to be performed on October 16.

FULL-TIME! ⌛️
A tough-fought match, however the sport ends in a stalemate, because the referee blows the full-time whistle.
🇮🇳 0-0 🇱🇰
✍️: https://t.co/D4Sc7IzAck#INDSRI ⚔️ #SAFFChampionship2021 🏆 #AgainTheBlue 💙 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/oA0pZ4dOjk
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) October 7, 2021
India made three adjustments from the earlier match beginning eleven with Seriton Fernandes and Mandar Rao Dessai changing Chinglensana Singh and Pritam Kotal within the defence and Suresh Singh coming in for Manvir Singh upfront.
Stimac’s aspect managed the match from the very starting with the Sri Lankans barely any likelihood on the Indian purpose however by some means the forwards, led by captain Sunil Chhetri, couldn’t bulge the opposition web.
Chhetri himself couldn’t do a lot on the day.

The finest likelihood of the primary half got here within the twenty second minute however Liston Colaco’s free header from a pleasant cross from the proper flank by Udanta Singh sailed over the bar.
India saved on urgent for a purpose however did not put any actual strain on the opposition defence within the remaining interval of the primary half.
The second half noticed Stimac taking off Suresh and bringing in Mohd. Yasir.
In the sixtieth minute, Dessai flashed a low cross throughout the face of the Sri Lankan purpose and Anirudh Thapa has solely to hook up with rating, however he couldn’t attain to the ball.
With Sri Lanka defending in their very own half, the Indians pressed extra males upfront for the elusive purpose however on the identical time their frustration additionally saved on growing with passing minute.

Stimac was booked for arguing with the referee as frustration clearly writ giant on the face of the Croatian coach.
India missed a golden alternative to steal a winner two minutes earlier than regulation time. An inswinging Yasir nook was flicked on on the close to submit by Chhetri and the ball discovered its method to Subhasish Bose on the far submit.
It wanted a easy tap-in from Bose however he blazed it over the bar and Sri Lanka escaped to a draw.