Incheon: The Indian footballers gave a better account of themselves but that was not enough to a stop a superior Jordan side from winning 2-0 as Sunil Chhetri and Co crashed out of the competition at the group league stage of the 17th Asian Games here on Monday.
Jordan struck on either side of the break through striker Laith Albashtawi in the 17th minute and midfielder Yazan Mohammed Yousef in the 66th.
India thus conceded seven goals in two group league matches to finish their turbulent Asian Games journey, which was marred by controversies after the sports ministry initially refused to send the team on government cost.
However, Chhetri and his boys can take heart from the fact that they showed a lot of spirit against the Jordanian side that was both technically and tactically superior.
The defending was better with the two side-backs Narayan Das, who plays for Dempo, and Pritam Kotal of Mohun Bagan doing a good job in cutting down on opposition’s wing play.
India coach Wim Koevermans’ strategy to play with a single striker in Robin Singh meant that his boys never had the numerical advantage when they tried to hit their opponents during the sporadic counters.
Robin would cut a lonely figure upfront as skipper Chhetri was operating from wide right but, on many occasions, had to fall back in order to help the defence.
Robin had a couple of left-footed cracks at Jordan goal and at times would wait for someone to join him on attack.
India conceded the first goal when Ahmed Mousa’s powerful right-footer was parried away by goalie Amrinder Singh.
However, with stopper Laurenco Joyner Monte not in his position, striker Albashtawi barged in to slot it home.
Among the Indian midfielders, Lalrindka Ralte operating from the left-wing had a good game although same can’t be said about Seiminlen, who was playing behind Robin.
Dika, in fact, had a left-footed crack in the 82nd minute but it was above horizontal. (PTI )
