Image Courtesy: AIFFIndia lost their second game on the trot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 match at the Guam National Football Stadium in Hagåtña suffering a 2-1 loss at the hands of Guam.The tiny island nation in the Pacific got their opening goal in the 38th minute from a throw in as they doubled their advantage in the 60th minute owing to some shabby defending from India. The Blue Tigers managed a consolation goal in the 93rd minute from a Sunil Chhetri header.India’s head coach Stephen Constantine made no changes to the team from their first qualifier against Oman on 11th June.Guam started the game on the front foot as they strung together a number of promising passes and controlled the game from the middle of the park. Guam midfielder Shane Malcolm in particular was a constant threat to the Indian backline with his menacing runs all through the half.Consequently, Subrata Paul was forced to make a couple of saves to keep India from conceding early on. Some inch perfect passing saw the ball at Malcolm’s feet as he put in a cross toward the far post but Guam youngster Travis Nicklaw could only manage to hit the side netting.The hosts finally broke the deadlock with a well worked move from the training ground as the ball was floated in by Ryan Guy from a throw in with Brandon McDonald at hand to head it past Paul.India, who had ended the first half on the back foot, made two changes with Sehnaj Singh replaced by Dhanpal Ganesh and Cavin Lobo introduced in place of Eugeneson.India had a sniff at goal with Lobo combining with Sunil Chhetri but the final effort was just wide of the post. Guam once again began to take control of the game as Nicklaw began to torment the Indian backline with his mazy runs and long balls into the box. He finally got his reward as he found himself in the box with a ball played to his feet as he held off Arnab Mondal with a couple of touches before smashing it past the Indian shot stopper.India were reduced to taking desperate shots from outside the box. Subrata Paul was once again the saviour with Travis Nicklaw through on goal with the Indian defence nowhere in the picture. Paul showed his experience, getting a hand to the ball and clearing away.India managed only a consolation goal in extra time as skipper Sunil Chhetri headed past Doug Herrick from a Rino Anto cross.India is yet to open their points tally in this round of 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
