Turkmenistan too strong as India's qualification campaign comes to an end

India were handed their seventh defeat in eight matches after losing against Turkmenistan in Kochi,
Picture Courtesy: AIFF Media

2018 World Cup Qualification

29.03.2016

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi

India 1-2 Turkmenistan

India: Sandesh Jhingan(27th)

Turkmenistan: A. Amanow(49th), S. Ataýew(70th)

It was their seventh defeat in eight matches as Team India finished their World Cup Qualification campaign on a low after suffering defeat at the hands of Turkmenistan, this time at home. The scoreline(2-1) was the same as last time and the quality did not improve if not deteriorated. The only positive from the match was probably the goal scored by Sandesh Jhingan. Despite taking the lead against the run of play Team India were never in control of the match and Turkmenistan deservedly won the tie.

Team India thus finished last in the group with a mere total of just 3 points in 8 games, winning one(1-0 against Guam at home) and losing seven. Except for giving so many youngsters first team debuts, it is hard to find much positives out of the disastrous campaign.