India lost to Jordan 0-2 in their friendly match at the Qatar Sports Club, in Doha, on Saturday evening. It was the Blue Tigers’ last match before the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, which starts next month.

Both the teams started cautiously, as they tried to dominate the game and create openings. Jordan was awarded a free-kick on the edge of the India box within the first 10 minutes, but Mousa Suleiman’s cross was not on target.

In the 20th minute, Hamza Aldaradreh got himself in a goal-scoring position after he was fed with a good pass. However, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu advanced and collected the ball without much hassle.

Soon after the half-hour mark, a counter attack from Manvir Singh ignited hopes for India, but the forward eventually lost control, as the Jordanian defence took care of the situation, The teams went into the break with the score reading 0-0.

India came out with much more intent in the second half, as Subhasish Bose hurled in a decent cross towards Sunil Chhetri just two minutes following the resumption, but the striker failed to make use of it.

In the 53rd minute, Sahal Abdul Samad luckily got the ball at his feet just outside the box, after a weak clearance by the Jordan defenders. The Indian midfielder went for glory, as the ball sailed over the target.

Moments after the hour-mark, India earned a free-kick, around 40 yards out. Yasir Mohammad struck a curler, which flew over the goalkeeper, struck the crossbar and went out of play, as the score remained unhurt. Meanwhile, Jordan got a free-kick around the 72nd minute of the game, but Baha Suleiman’s curling free-kick was off target.

A mistake from Sandesh Jhingan in the 76th minute allowed Ahmad Saleh to take control of the ball, as he placed the ball for the onrushing Abu Amara, who slotted it home with a powerful strike to give Jordan the lead.

India made several changes in the last quarter of the game, but were denied a goal each time. In the second minute of injury time, Sandesh Jhingan produced a long ball aimed at substitute Ishan Pandita, but Tarek Khattab intervened at a critical time to avert danger.

In the dying moments of the game,  Abu Amara provided the assist, as Abu Zraik converted to extend the margin and seal the deal for Jordan.

India Playing XI: India XI: Gurpreet Singh; Subhasish Bose (Ishan Pandita 87’), Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali, Pritam Kotal, Akash Mishra, Anirudh Thapa (Mohammad Yasir 46’), Glan Martins (Brandon Fernandes 74’), Sahal Abdul Samad, Manvir Singh (Ashique Kuruniyan 46’), Sunil Chhetri (c) (Suresh Wangjam 74’).