India lost their opening match…
INDIA
Subrata Pal (7): The Indian goalkeeper didn't have much to do in the game. For the free-kick goal, one can't really blame him as the wall never did it's job in the first place. He made a good save off Dakik later in the game.
Surkumar Singh (5): The Manipuri looked solid when going forward however, he allowed Matouk and Dakik far too much space to run.
NS Manju (6): He initiated the first Indian attack amidst the Lebanese onslaught early in the first half. His influence in the game gradually began to decline after the tackle he endured towards the end of the first half.
Anwar Ali (7): He did well and put in a good shift. The Indian center-backs were never really troubled except the opening minutes.
Gouramangi Singh (7): The calmest of the back four and did well to get the defence line in order as the match progressed.
NP Pradeep (7): The Indian number seven was the most creative of all the players on the pitch especially in the first session. His bicycle-kick, header towards the far ost and combining with the strikers was better than most of the others.
Climax Lawrence (5): It was his foul on the Lebanese player which gave the visitors the free-kick from which the goal was scored. He did come back well later but was never really the vintage Climax we know of.
Steven Dias (6.5): He wasn't much involved in the earlier stages of the game however, his pinpoint deliveries from set-pieces did ask a few questions of the Lebanese. Much better performance in the first session as compared to the second one.
Anthony Pereira (4): The Dempo star wasn't much involved and would give away the posession cheaply. Wonder why he wasn't substituted?
Bhaichung Bhutia (8): He is still the focal point of Indian attack as he did well to hold the ball. Bhaichung was unlucky to have received the yellow card for simulation but overall, a good performance from the Indian skipper.
Sushil Kumar Singh (7): Sushil Singh improved as the first half progressed and had the best chances to put India level on terms.
Substitutions:
Sunil Chettri (5): The Delhi player have a few good moments like the pass to Bhaichung wherein the Indian skipper was brought down. Still doesn't look at his best due to the injury.
Mahesh Gawli (6): The Dempo defender did what he was asked to do after he came on for Manju.
Wadoo (n/a):
LEBANON
Lana Mehanna (7): The Lebanese goalkeeper was lucky to have been given the benefit of the doubt when he and Gauramangi Singh went for the same ball. It was a professional performance from Nehanna.
Ali Hammam (7): The right back was one of the most attacking players for Lebanon in the early stages of the game.
Bilal Lel Naijarine (6.5): The skipper was seldom troubled and could not be faulted for his performance.
Ali Al Saad (9): A superb free-kick to get the tournament started and never really allowed any player to get past him
Mohamad Korhani (5): He was lucky not to have put his side into trouble after clearly pulling down Bhaichung Bhutia on the edge of the penalty area
Ali El Etat (7): Ali El Etat had a strong presence in the midfield and tried to start quite a number of moves
Hamze Abboud (6): Didn't have much to do and was eclipsed by his fellow midfielders
Ali Yaakoub (6): Had a pretty much ordinary game and didn't look that much a threat to the Indian backline
Hassan Maatouk (7): Was brilliant in the midfield for Lebanon, a driving force for his side
Mohammed Ghaddar (5): Was subsituted at half-time and had a poor first-half against an Indian defence that didn't look comfortable at all in full backs positions
Mohammed El Ali (6): Had a moderate game
Subs:
Amer Khan (5): Didn't do much after coming on as a second half substitute
Dakik (6): Went close a couple of times and at times left the Indian defence looking for answers
Younis (5): Came on as a second half substitutes and didn't add much to the game
Source: Goal.com
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Friday 21 August 2009, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.