Singapore battered India — a visitor that remained outnumbered for almost the entire second half — for 90 minutes, but in the end, it was the home side which was left reeling.
Substitute Jordan Emaviwe, who inadvertently set up Rahim Ali with an under-hit back pass in the dying minutes, was in tears, with his teammates offering solace.
At the other end, Rahim was sheepishly congratulated by India’s unused subs as a 1-1 draw revived India’s AFC Asian Cup qualification hopes.
Rahim Ali (centre) celebrates scoring his first senior international goal with teammates, Sahal Abdul Samad (right) and Udanta Singh (left).
| Photo Credit:
AIFF Media
Rahim Ali (centre) celebrates scoring his first senior international goal with teammates, Sahal Abdul Samad (right) and Udanta Singh (left).
| Photo Credit:
AIFF Media
Khalid Jamil’s first major assignment didn’t alleviate fears that India — placed third in Group C with just two points — would miss out on its third successive Asian Cup.
The source of goals remains a major concern, and while Rahim’s tap-in was India’s first goal from open play in over 760 minutes (eight matches), the manner of the goal wouldn’t have done much to infuse confidence.
But for now, it will take anything it can get, and Rahim’s first senior goal in 15 appearances for the national team managed to spare India’s blushes.
The saviour, though, added to the irony with the striker originally not a part of Jamil’s 30-man probables list and was only added to the mix late on owing to another embarrassing episode in the club vs country stand-off.
Club versus country impasse
Fourteen of India’s 23-man travelling group hadn’t reported for duty on the scheduled start of training on September 20, while the head coach was tasked with performing a miracle with an under-strength squad.
The lack of options was evident in Jamil’s midfield pivot of Nikhil Prabhu and debutant Macarton Nickson, who had a combined five senior caps between them.
The duo was overwhelmed by Singapore’s midfield trio of Shah Shahiran, Kyoga Nakamura and Harhys Stewart.
The smallest man on the pitch, Nakamura, a former Japan youth international, who became a naturalised Singaporean in 2024, ran the show as the deep-lying midfielder, while India’s midfielders were so far off the pace both in quality and industry.
Farukh Choudhary, operating in the no. 10 role behind the returning Sunil Chhetri, couldn’t link midfield and attack.
The lack of options was evident in Jamil’s midfield pivot of Nikhil Prabhu (No. 6) and debutant Macarton Nickson (No. 12), who had a combined five senior caps between them.
| Photo Credit:
AIFF Media
The lack of options was evident in Jamil’s midfield pivot of Nikhil Prabhu (No. 6) and debutant Macarton Nickson (No. 12), who had a combined five senior caps between them.
| Photo Credit:
AIFF Media
The pair didn’t manage to find each other even once while a 40-year-old Chhetri cut a sorry figure chasing shadows. Chhetri had just three touches – none in the opposition penalty box – and was replaced with 10 minutes to go.
India offered too much time on the ball for Singapore’s centre-backs, who targeted India’s left side with long balls, with full-back Muhammed Uvais unable to keep a check on Shawal Anuar.
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The opening goal came from an error with Uvais failing to track Anuar’s diagonal run into the box, with the winger setting up Ikhsan Fandi for a simple finish into an empty net in added time of the first half.
Any hopes of a turnaround were quelled right after the break when Sandesh Jhingan uncharacteristically got himself sent off for a second reckless challenge with more than 40 minutes left to play.
Unassuming heroes Anwar and Rahim
Fortunately for India, Singapore failed to capitalise on the numerical advantage. “We took the foot off the pedal when they went a man down,” said a dejected Singapore skipper, Harris Harun.
It’s becoming an increasingly familiar theme where centre-back Anwar Ali continues to stand out in this poor Indian side.
If not for his timely interceptions and last-ditch blocks, Singapore could have been well out of sight. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu foiled a couple of efforts from substitute Ilhan Fandi to further frustrate the Lions.
It’s becoming an increasingly familiar theme where centre-back Anwar Ali continues to stand out in this poor Indian side.
| Photo Credit:
AIFF Media
It’s becoming an increasingly familiar theme where centre-back Anwar Ali continues to stand out in this poor Indian side.
| Photo Credit:
AIFF Media
India’s biggest threat in attack under Jamil has been from set-pieces, but Singapore managed to limit them to only a couple of long throw-ins.
Wingers Liston Colaco and Lallianzuala Chhangte were nullified, and the lack of cohesion in attack will be a worry for the return leg in Goa next Tuesday.
Despite the handicap, India managed to dig in and press Singapore in the hope of forcing an error. Goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud spilt the ball from a free-kick, but there was no Indian attacker next to him to profit from the mistake.
In the end, with India’s hopes fading, it was Rahim, gambling with his hurtling run towards goal for a mistake, which came through Emaviwe’s mistimed pass.
Rahim’s perseverance was rewarded when Mahbud’s clearance hit him and fell kindly onto his path for the striker to complete a simple finish, providing India with a lifeline.
Published on Oct 09, 2025
