Kochi: India’s world cup qualifying campaign finished the usual way. The absence of talisman Sunil Chhetri due to injury could yet again be lamented. But the fact remains that a second-string Turkmenistan mustered the courage and guile to snatch a 2-1 win, leaving India three points from eight matches in the Asian qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The visitors scored twice in the second half after Sandesh Jhingan had put India ahead on 26 minutes. Second-half substitute Serdarali Atayev struck the winner on 70 minutes after skipper Amanov Arslanmurat,, who also missed a first-half penalty, equalised on 49 minutes.
Stephen Constantine had made three changes to his side that lost 0-4 to Iran on Thursday. Cavin Lobo, Arnab Mondal and Pritam Kotal replaced Bikash Jairu, Aiborlang Khonjee and Holicharan Narzary. With India holding a defensive shape Jeje was used as a lone striker in the continued absence of Chhetri. The visitors pressed higher up and their best attacks were generated by their captain Amanov Arslanmurat.
