India Lost to Cameroon 0-1 in Dress Rehearsal of Nehru Cup Final

Friday, August 31, 2012 Report by Rajarshi Ghosh

The dress rehearsal of the big final ended in favour of Cameroon as they won by a solitary goal against India. Both the teams rested their main players and turned to their reserve bench.

The ‘bench’ didn’t let one down. Even as Cameroon took the lead through Bite Samuel in the 2’, the midfield had enough character in their selection. At times, it was difficult to trace Syed Rahim Nabi, who overlapped to add to the strength in the midfield and Mehtab Hossain played the perfect foil.

India stuck to a plan. There were a string of passes stitched; the ball shuffled from one flank to the other, the pace slowed down, and on two occasions, a Denzel Franco cross had Manandeep and then Jewel Raja in the clear. India should have scored from both. Goalkeeper Karanjit Singh, who couldn’t have been blamed for the first goal, however, made amends saving a Ebanga Bertin penalty in the 40’. The penalty was awarded when Nabi had tripped Eloundou Charles inside the box.

The defensive organization also needs to be credited. Against a team which has stayed deadly from the set-pieces, especially form the corner-kicks, the defence led by Captain Gouramangi Singh kept everything at bay. The presence of taller Cameroon rivals didn’t bother them.

On the other hand, apart from the goal, Cameroon didn’t pose much threat inside the box. 

INDIA: Karanjit Singh; Denzil Franco, Gurwinder Singh (Raju Gaikwad – 80th), Gourmangi Singh, Syed Rahim Nabi; Clifford Miranda, Mehtab Hossain, Jewel Raja, Sanju Pradhan; Francis Fernandes (Alwyn George – 83rd); Manandeep Singh (Robin Singh – 67th).