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Cristiano Ronaldo has surpassed his current manager's goalscoring mark at Manchester United after the Portuguese star helped lead Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side to a last-gasp draw on Tuesday.

Ronaldo scored late in the club's 2-2 draw with Atalanta, helping seal an improbable point in Italy.

The Portuguese striker himself called the result "lucky", although the stats show there's nothing fortunate about Ronaldo's goalscoring prowess.

Surpassing Solskjaer

With his late goal on Tuesday, Ronaldo has now scored 127 goals in 303 appearances across his two stints at Manchester United.

Those 127 goals are one more than his current manager, with Solskjaer finding the back of the net 126 times in 366 total games.

Ronaldo and Solskjaer overlapped as team-mates during the Portuguese star's first stint at the club, playing together from 2003 until the Norwegian's retirement in 2007.

What did Ronaldo have to say?

"It was a difficult game, I know when we play in Bergamo it is always difficult, but we believe until the end and I am so happy," he told BT Sport.

"We never give up, we believe until the end, it is a good result for us. The beginning was tough, we knew Atalanta would do a lot of pressure, they have a fantastic coach, when I played at Juventus they were always difficult to play against. We were a little bit lucky in the end but that is football.

"We have to still improve, we have different players, different system, we have to adapt with each other, but it will take time. we have time to improve and be better."

The big picture

Ronaldo has proven to be Man Utd's saviour since returning to the club this summer, scoring several late goals to keep the team afloat. In total, Ronaldo has nine goals in 11 games and has scored in all four of the club's Champions League matches so far.

Up next for Ronaldo and Man Utd is another massive game as they face rivals Manchester City this weekend.

Further reading

The 2021-22 Champions League group stage is now underway, with Europe's biggest heavyweights competing for continental glory.

The likes of Barcelona , Real Madrid , Liverpool , Manchester City and PSG are all involved, with some enticing match-ups already taking place.

Goal will keep you updated on the individual goal tallies for the highest-scoring Champions League players this season.

Champions League 2021-22 Top Scorers

Ajax's Sebastien Haller currently leads the pack with an impressive six goals to his name, scoring an astonishing four goals in his side's opening group-stage 5-1 victory against Sporting.

He is followed by Liverpool's star marksman Mohamed Salah on five goals, as well as prized Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski also with five strikes to his name.

The rest of the list includes the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on three goals apiece.

* Correct as of games played on Nov 2, 2021, not including qualifying games

Who finished top in 2020-21?

Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Erling Haaland was crowned the Champions League top-scorer in 2020-21 season despite his side being knocked out at the quarter-final stage.

Haaland scored 10 goals, finishing two goals ahead of PSG star Kylian Mbappe and four ahead of the likes of Marcus Rashford, Olivier Giroud and Mohamed Salah who scored six goals each.

It was Lewandowski who finished as the Champions League top scorer the campaign prior in 2019-20, which is also the season that Bayern won the competition.

Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi was impressed by his players’ mentality in Bucs’ 2-1 win over Sekhukhune United at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The win was the Sea Robbers’ first in the league in five games, since beating Chippa United nearly six weeks ago.

Things had not looked good for Pirates at half-time after Sekhukhune midfielder Seth Parusnath had sliced his way through the home defence to score in the 41st minute.

The Soweto side’s players however kept their cool, kept on with their passing game, and eventually, it paid dividends - much to Ncikazi’s relief.

"The subconscious mind is very bad, because when you see what has happened before, you are resorting to the default position, and we didn't want our team to go into the panic mode,” he told SuperSport TV after the game.

"And I think it helped us today. We continued to play the way we had played, and if you are possession-based and you want to use possession to create chances, don’t change now because you are falling behind.

"You need the patience and against a low block, they are waiting for one ball, make one mistake and then they punish you.

"But I think we did well, second half, in just handling their counter-attacks."

Pirates’ first goal came from a Linda Mntambo penalty after Ryan de Jongh’s arm made contact with Paseka Mako’s cross. Kabelo Dlamini bent in a sublime 20-metre finish a minute later for the winner.

The Buccaneers moved up to sixth position with the win, on 14 points. One spot back and two points adrift are Kaizer Chiefs, who Bucs meet on Saturday afternoon in the Soweto derby. Amakhosi lost 1-0 to Stellenbosch earlier on Tuesday.

"Let's move into the next match, the most important match in the PSL calendar,” Ncikazi commented. “Happy that we won today with every adversity that we faced, let's move into the next one.”

10-man SuperSport United lost concentration in the late stages of their game to fall 2-1 to Royal AM at Chatsworth Stadium in Durban on Tuesday night.

Thamsanqa Gabuza put Matsatsantsa ahead after 30 minutes. It was a reward for their good start and happened to be the only goal scored in the first half.

Two mistakes in the span of eight minutes led to back-to-back yellow cards to Luke Fleurs and he was eventually dismissed, leaving the visitors with a numerical disadvantage.

The three-time PSL champions thought they had done enough to get maximum points, but the hosts continued to push for an equalizer, and they were rewarded in the 90th minute.

The defenders failed to clear a set-piece and Zukile Mkhize punished them after pouncing on a loose ball from three yards out.

Two minutes later, a swift move caught the defenders flat-footed, and substitute Menzi Masuku calmly slotted home to give his team the vital win that took them to the third position on the table with 17 points while the former champions are a position lower with 15 points. 

Meanwhile, Menzi Ndwandwe struck in the stoppages to hand hosts TS Galaxy a 2-1 win against Baroka in their PSL assignment played at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Tuesday evening.

Having not lost to Baroka in their previous two league meetings, after a draw and a win, the hosts were strong favourites to collect maximum points.

However, they were surprised by Baroka after just 17 minutes when Basil Mphalele picked Evidence Makgopa in the area, and the latter did his job well to open the scoring.

Galaxy had to up their tempo, but they were kept at bay until four minutes to the break when they conceded a penalty. Sipho Mngomezulu rose for the occasion and scored, to ensure the two teams went into the break even.

It seemed the visitors were set for a valuable point away, but Galaxy had other ideas. Tsheghofatso Nyama managed to set up substitute Ndwandwe for the winner to help them get off the bottom of the table with five points.

The win was their first of the season, having collected two draws and six losses in their previous matches.

Golden Arrows and Swallows settled to a goalless draw in another top-tier encounter staged at Princess Magogo Stadium.

Antonio Conte is a very capable hand for the Tottenham Hotspur job, according to former West Brom player Ifeanyi Udeze. 

Following the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo due to a poor string of results, the Italian tactician was signed on an initial 18-month contract that includes an extension.

Conte had been out of management since parting ways with Inter Milan by mutual consent on May 26, 2021, despite achieving Italian elite division glory.

Spurs had failed to win their past two league matches before the 52-year-old’s arrival, and Udeze is confident that the former Chelsea boss' personality and experience can turn their fortunes around.

“Conte is a very capable hand for the Tottenham Hotspur job. This is a manager who led Inter Milan to win the Serie A title last season. He has also coached Chelsea in the past and he did very well,” Udeze told Goal.

“He is an experienced manager and with his personality, he can take on any big team in Europe with this Tottenham team. Honestly, I am not doubting his ability at all.

“Conte knows what he wants. For him to join Spurs, I am sure there has been an intimate discussion about with the club’s management over funds to get players.

“He knows those players that can help him. For me, he will succeed at Tottenham Hotspur."

Before confirming that he would stay at Spurs for the 2021-22 campaign, Harry Kane had been tipped to move to Manchester City.

Asked if Conte’s arrival would see the England international stay at Spurs, the former Super Eagles defensive trojan continued: “The truth is that Kane is not happy and that reflects in his game.

“The only thing that can make him stay is if Conte gets good players to complement his efforts cos he wants to win.”

Conte will make his bow when he leads Tottenham Hotspur against Vitesse in Thursday's Europa Conference League group stage fixture.

The Kenya Senate has come under severe attack from football stakeholders after they moved to bar Sports CS Amina Mohamed from taking action against Football Kenya Federation over alleged misappropriation of funds.

On Tuesday, the Senate through a motion moved by Nandi County Senator Kiprotich Cherargei called on the Ministry of Sports not to take any action against the federation until the Sports CS Amina appears before it on Thursday.

'CS for Sports should appear before Senate'

“Not one person should take an action that will lead to Kenya being banned by Fifa,” Nairobi County Senator Johnson Sakaja told the sitting.

“The CS for Sports should appear before the Senate on Thursday and we are immediately signing off a letter barring her from taking any action against FKF.”

Football stakeholders in the country led by former FKF President Sam Nyamweya have reacted angrily to the decision by the Senate and further called on them to stop interfering with the work Amina had started to investigate the federation.

“I have watched with dismay the Senate proceedings on the state of Kenyan football,” Nyamweya said in a statement signed on behalf of stakeholders and obtained by Goal.

“It is quite unfortunate the Senate, the most respected house that is meant to pass laws has reduced itself to supporting a corrupt system running the Football Kenya Federation.

'Who are these senators working for?'

“It is saddening some senators can today blackmail the Cabinet Secretary of Sports who is empowered by the constitution to ensure sports federations operate within the laws of this country.

“The CS of Sports in her wisdom directed for the auditing of the FKF accounts and especially the monies the federation received from the government.”

The statement continued: “For some senators to now blackmail the CS with action should she move to take action on the federation is not only laughable but wrong. The CS is working on public interest because there is evidence public funds cannot be accounted for.

“It begs one question: who are these senators working for?

“The Senate must separate between FKF and Mwendwa. If Mwendwa as an individual is found to have diverted money to his private accounts as alleged, he should face the law.

“Kenyan footballers are suffering and the Senate will be judged harshly for siding with an inept, corrupt, and rudderless federation.

“Why are some senators jumping the gun? They should let the audit process be finished and debate on the report.”

On Monday, the Inspection team from the Sports Registrar completed their investigations of FKF accounts and is now compiling a report that will be presented to Amina before the end of the week.

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Lyle Lakay has maintained their focus is to make sure they win every trophy on offer this season.

The Brazilians ended their 14-year-wait to win the MTN8 trophy last Saturday after beating Cape Town City 3-2 on penalties and they have now turned their focus to retaining the PSL title when they return to action with a game against Maritzburg United on Wednesday.

Ahead of the game at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, the 30-year-old has revealed their main focus is to win three points as they want to win all trophies they are taking part in.

'We are still hungry for trophies'

“Obviously we won the MTN8 but I think we have to forget about that, we forgot about it the day after winning because we knew we had a game coming on Wednesday against Maritzburg and also the coach emphasised after the game, we should not forget about the game on Wednesday,” Lakay told the media.

“As professionals, we also know, we don’t have to wait for the coach to tell us, you know as professionals we should know we need to prepare properly and also stay focused.

“We enjoyed our great time after winning the MTN8 and as professionals, we have to focus on the next game, the game was so close to the final because we played on Saturday and this game is on a Wednesday.

“Having said that, I think the guys are focused, we are still hungry and like we said we want to win every trophy that is on offer.

“Nothing has changed the mandate is still the same, we are fully focused and we need to fight for the three points.”

'They are very quick on the ball'

On what he expects from Maritzburg, Lakay said: “Since they lost their last game against TS Galaxy, I will expect them to come out and bring the game to us because they obviously want to win, they haven’t played since the Galaxy game, and they have got a couple of days off, I think they will be fresh than us.

“But having said that I still think we are professional enough and we are capable of getting the three points, we want the three points and we will do everything to get the points.

“I know the coach has done enough homework against [Maritzburg], we have also done our homework as we always do before every game that we play and I think we are ready for them.

"They [Maritzburg] also have a few players that are injured but I think most of the time they like to play on the break and they are very quick on the ball.

“You know they can play on the counter, they are more skillful and they have a good striker because they attack as a front three but if we can sustain them, then it will be easy for us to win.”

Sundowns are currently topping the 16-team table with 19 points from seven matches while Maritzburg are placed ninth with 10 points from eight matches.

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has dropped Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa and the Mamelodi Sundowns pair of Thapelo Morena and Mothobi Mvala from his final 24-man squad to face Zimbabwe and Ghana in 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.

Group G leaders South Africa host Zimbabwe on November 11, before they travel to Cape Coast to meet Ghana three days later.

Morena is a surprise omission as Broos preferred Nyiko Mobbie and Kaizer Chiefs’ Njabulo Blom as possible candidates for the right-back position.

Midfielder Mvala on the other hand has been battling fitness issues since October’s back-to-back matches against Ethiopia.

It might not have come as a shock to see Mabasa not picked as he struggled on his national team debut away in Ethiopia where he was substituted in the first half.

After that match, Broos commented that the Pirates forward was not playing according to instructions and battled to fit into his system of play. 

After announcing his 36-man provisional squad last week, Broos has also struck off from his list the likes of FC Copenhagen striker Luther Singh, the SuperSport United duo of Luke Fleurs and Jesse Donn, goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke, defender Tercious Malepe and his AmaZulu teammate Siyethemba Sithebe, 

Midfielder Nqobeko Dlamini and another Golden Arrows player and Sibonelo Cele were also dropped.

Kaizer Chiefs’ Man-of-the-Moment Keagan Dolly, Percy Tau and captain Ronwen Williams headline Broos’ squad as they Bafana bid to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2002.

They have been struggling to make it to the quadrennial global football showpiece where they last participated in 2010 as hosts. 

Having played four qualifying games so far, Bafana have 10 points in Group G after beating Ghana, Ethiopia twice and drawing against Zimbabwe.

The Black stars trail them in second spot with nine points while Ethiopia have three and Zimbabwe anchor the standings with just one point. 

If Bafana manage to hold on to their lead and finish at the top of Group G, they will qualify for the next round of the qualifiers. 

Gor Mahia coach Mark Harrison has cautioned his players to prepare for a physical game when they take on Ulinzi Stars in an FKF Premier League fixture on Wednesday.

The former league champions are in a good run of four straight wins in the top-flight but they will come up against a side that has often proved difficult for them to beat in previous matches.

Last season, it was Gor Mahia who won the first meeting 1-0 but the Soldiers recovered to avenge in the second-round meeting with a 1-0 victory of their own.

Ahead of the game at Thika Stadium, Harrison has told his players to prepare for a physical game and stay focused throughout the contest.

'I expect a physical game'

“I am not aware of the history of this fixture. However, from the little I have seen of Ulinzi Stars, I expect a physical game. I have warned my players of that and, I expect them to play with clear and focused minds,” the 60-year old English tactician said as quoted by Nation Sports.

“We give all our opponents the respect that they deserve by preparing for every game the same way. It doesn't matter who we are coming up against because we aim to impose ourselves in each match.”

On K’Ogalo’s good start to the season, Harrison said: “I have managed top clubs in Southern Africa so, I already knew what to expect when I came to Kenya.

“Of course, it has not been easy with the Covid-19 situation but, we are professionals so, we have to rise above such challenges and deliver good results."

Harrison is also hoping that his players will return from the international break without injuries so as to help push for their targets.

“The international break will disrupt our programme but, after playing so many matches within in a short time, I plan to give the players a few days off,” Harrison added.

The top-flight is set to take a break after this weekend’s matches to allow the Harambee Stars to prepare for their two remaining 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Uganda and Rwanda.

Kenya, who have already bowed out of the race to reach Qatar, will face the Cranes on November 11 at St Mary’s Kitende before they host Rwanda in their final fixture on November 15.

Orlando Pirates will be out to end a four-match Premier Soccer League winless streak when they host Sekhukhune United at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday.

While the Soweto giants have gone for four games without winning, their opponents Sekhukhune have played as many games without losing.

Having picked up just three points out of a possible 12 within that run, there is concern about Pirates’ ability to fight for the league title.

In contrast, Sekhukhune have dropped just two points in their last four outings, leaving them fifth on the standings after starting the season slowly.

They are three points better off than the Buccaneers, who need a win by five goals or more on Tuesday to jump from seventh to fourth place while also hoping that Kaizer Chiefs lose or draw against Stellenbosch and SuperSport United beat Royal AM on the same day. 

TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch

Squads & Team News

Pirates are likely to be without captain Happy Jele who has a knee problem picked up in their last game against Royal AM.

The skipper’s knee was swollen after that match in which he featured for 52 minutes and if he fails to make it for Tuesday’s game, Thulani Hlatshwayo is almost sure to step in.

Defender Innocent Maela is out while goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands is doubtful due to injury.

Sandilands’ unavailability in the last two games has seen Pirates having Diski Challenge goalkeeper Thuntsane Kopano deputising Siyabonga Mpontshane with Richard Ofori and Elson Sithole also battling concerns.

Injuries to Malawi striker Frank Mhango, who has not featured in the Buccaneers’ last eight games, attacking midfielder Vincent Pule, Thembinkosi Lorch and Zakhele Lepasa, have handicapped the Buccaneers upfront.

That has seen Tshegifatso Mabasa being the only available recognised number nine available

Sekhukhune United coach MacDonald Makhubedu and his men will go into battle without suspended midfielder Pogiso Mahlangu.

Mahlangu was shown a red card in their last match against AmaZulu which Babina Noko won 2-0 despite 21 minutes of the match with a man down. 

Match Preview

This will be the first-ever meeting between Pirates and Sekhukhune United who are in their debut top-flight league season.

While Babina Noko have been enjoying some encouraging form, they have, interestingly, scored eight goals in as many league games, the same number as managed by Pirates.

But Sekhukhune have conceded four goals, unlike the Buccaneers who have shipped in seven goals. 

In their four-match unbeaten run, the PSL debutants have recorded three straight wins and a draw while Pirates have three straight draws and a defeat in their last four games.

Football Kenya Federation CEO Barry Otieno has questioned the motive behind the order by the Ministry of Sports Cabinet Secretary Ambassador Amina Mohamed to audit the former's accounts.

The directive came a couple of days ago after concerns by some stakeholders over the alleged misappropriation of funds. The auditors have been camping at Kandanda House from Friday and by Monday they were done with their task.

However, the top official has questioned the limited time taken to investigate and go through the files which he believes would have taken at least four weeks.

FKF concerned with limited time by inspectors 

"Following the Cabinet Secretary's directive a few days ago, we received the inspectors from the ministry and went through certain FKF documents. As a federation we believe that we provided all that was asked," Otieno told Goal.

"It is important to note that [the documents] were requested under one day to produce documents dated from 2016... we presented this on Friday. 

"As a federation, we believe that we have complied with the directive from the CS. Normally, our statutory audit will take somewhere between four to six weeks. This is always done by reputable firms. Cumulatively, I feel the inspectors have been here for eight hours. 

"I don't want to pre-empt the report, I am only saying we are concerned with the limited time they have had, to carry out this inspection and whether conclusively, they can arrive at an opinion whether good or bad, whether positive or negative that this is the situation at FKF and these are the remedies that we are recommending."

'We don't know what informed the inspection on FKF'

Otieno remained optimistic the outcome will be used to help the federation improve and there are no hidden agendas from the involved parties.

"But we have done our part, we will continue doing our part. Even after this, just for the records and for every Kenyan to know is that consistently and as required by the 2013 Sports Act, we have done budgets to the government in good time for all the money that we have been funded, and filed returns. Ideally, up to today, we don't know what informed the inspection," he continued.

"However we welcome it, and we hope that the report that will come out will reflect the position of the federation despite all the concerns that we have in regard to the timelines of the inspection.

"We will leave it to the public to judge whether an institution like FKF can be conclusively inspected in eight or so hours cumulatively. These are the questions we will ask when and if the report is made public.

"I want to believe this inspection was directed with utmost good faith with an objective to improve in certain areas if any."

The CS is expected to make her report public on Tuesday or Wednesday and advise the way forward.

Kaizer Chiefs will be keen to be the first team to beat Stellenbosch this season when the two teams clash in a Premier Soccer League match at FNB Stadium on Tuesday.

Chiefs face a Stellenbosch side yet to taste defeat in eight league games so far in this campaign following a run of four wins and as many draws that has put them second on the table.

The Cape Winelands outfit has three points fewer than leaders Mamelodi Sundowns who, however, have a game in hand and are the only other side still unbeaten in the league.

Four points separate sixth-placed Chiefs and Stellenbosch and Amakhosi host their visitors on the backdrop of two draws and also winning their last two games.

Since Amakhosi recorded three successive wins after beating AmaZulu, Cape Town City and Marumo Gallants within six days in January 2021, they have struggled to claim consecutive wins since then.

If Chiefs triumph on Tuesday, they could close the day fourth on the standings, given that their nearest rivals Sekhukhune United and Royal AM lose their respective games on the same day.

Stellenbosch would also be keen to stay closer to Sundowns with victory but would need to win by a seven-goal margin to claim top spot. 

TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch

Squads & Team News

Chiefs' attacking duo of Leonardo Castro and Samir Nurkovic remains out recovering from their respective surgeries, leaving coach Stuart Baxter likely to play Khama Billiat as a striker.

While Nurkovic is battling to regain fitness he is back in his home country Serbia to attend a family matter.

Lebogang Manyama is also doubtful for Tuesday’s game and Dumisani Zuma could feature for the first time this season as he has been participating in full training for the past few weeks. 

Defender Siyabonga Ngezana is still out injured.

No Stellenbosch player is suspended for this match against the Soweto giants.

Coach Steve Barker will be without veteran defender Robyn Johannes who has been injured since August and has featured in just one match this season.

Match Preview

Chiefs and Stellebosch will be meeting for the fifth time in the league with Amakhosi enjoying a better record than their opponents.

Since their first clash in November 2019 when Chiefs emphatically won 4-0 away in the Western Cape, the last three confrontations between these teams have ended in draws.

Baxter will be in charge of his 99th game as Chiefs coach across two stints and will overtake Ernst Middendorp who coached, Amakhosi for 98 matches.

The Briton will remain second behind Mushin Ertugral who has previously taken charge of 118 Chiefs games over two spells which is a club record number of matches a coach has been at the helm.

With some luck, India would have qualified for the 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup. A classic case of being so near and yet so far. A series of 'what ifs' dominate the narrative as the blue colts dropped curtains on their U-23 Asian Cup qualification campaign on Saturday night in UAE.

What if India had not conceded the penalty against UAE, what if Rahul KP was not denied by the post against Kyrgyzstan, what if India's result against Oman had counted while ranking the second-best teams. However, if we stop brooding about what could have been and focus on reality, it was a still a creditable campaign from the India U23 team.

It is certainly not easy to take the field against technically superior sides with just three-four training sessions under your belt. And the Indian team did exactly that. They hardly got any time to fine-tune their bearings before facing Oman in the opener and yet played brilliantly to stun them 2-1. Moreover, to play three high-intensity matches within a span of eight days is no mean feat, especially when the domestic season is yet to kick off. 

The performance of the Indian team gives the fans enough reasons to be optimistic about the future. Let us take a look at the three key learnings from an encouraging campaign. 

Igor Stimac redeems himself

The Croatian coach had received a lot of flak after two successive disappointing results in the SAFF Championship after the draws against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka respectively. More than the result, it was the uninspiring display of the team that drew the ire of fans. If the SAFF Championship win had given him more breathing space, the spirited performance of the U-23 side has helped him to substantially redeem his credentials. His troops played fearless football in all three matches, and they displayed a brave mentality that was hitherto unknown while playing against higher-ranked teams.

They were being pragmatic while defending with bodies behind the ball, and at the same time were opportunistic to hit the opponents on the break. Although his introduction of Sumit Rathi against UAE replacing Vikram Pratap Singh remains questionable, the overall performance of the team was commendable.

A lot of potential, but needs to be nurtured

Five players of the 23-member squad were already a part of the senior team that travelled to Maldives for the SAFF Championship. Barring those five, there were a few others as well who grabbed eyeballs with their steady performances. Deepak Tangri, Vikram Pratap, Rahul KP were the most notable ones. Special mention must be made for Dheeraj Singh as well since the keeper had not featured for the senior team in Maldives, with Gurpreet Singh Sandhu being the first choice.

The AIFF (All India Football Federation) have done their bit by providing these players with game time and exposure with the Indian Arrows project in I-League, and now it is up to the players to make the step up and play regularly in the ISL. Vikram, Deepak, and Rahul KP showed that they have the mettle to shine at the big stage and now they should be trusted upon by their club coaches to do the same in ISL. In short, these players need to play at least 20-30 matches a season if they are to improve further.

Lack of goal-scoring options

After more than 270 minutes of football, India managed to score just one goal from open play. That is a cause of concern. There is a dearth of strikers in the senior team, and the trend seems to continue with the younger sides as well. Rahim Ali was being used as a striker and although the Chennaiyin FC player hustled against Oman with a strike from the spot and an assist, he was not in his element in the next two games.

He has the stature to be the target-man upfront but one must also note that a lack of regular game time as a number 9 has not helped his cause. It seems that the lack of genuine goalscoring option will continue to haunt India in the foreseeable future.