India Almost Out Of Contention

Loses to Oman, courtesy Al-Ghassani’s 33rd-minute goal

The Indian football team was on Tuesday virtually knocked out of the 2022 World Cup qualifying round after losing 0-1 to Oman here.

Muhsen Al-Ghassani scored the all-important goal in the 33rd minute at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex Stadium as Oman beat India for the second time in the campaign.

Oman had defeated India 2-1 in the first leg in September in Guwahati.

With just three points from five matches, India still remain at fourth spot in the Group E table, headed by Asian champions Qatar which has 13 points from five matches. Oman is at second spot with 12 points.

With a nine point gap with the second-place team (Oman) in the group table, India is almost out of reckoning for a third round berth. It has only three more matches — maximum nine points — left to play in this second round of the qualifiers.