India, Sept. 4 -- After media releases that hid more than they revealed, Khalid Jamil had explained that the absence of Sunil Chhetri in the CAFA Nations Cup was an opportunity to check out other forwards. A return of one goal from a central defender in three group league matches showed India's new head coach that he had not found what he was looking for.

The 0-0 draw against Afghanistan was the third successive match India have failed to win against a team they have a 13-2 win-loss record. India finished on four points from three matches but in that stalemate lay Jamil's biggest challenge: that of finding goals. For in their own penalty box, through the victory against Tajikistan, the defeat to Iran and this draw, India did more right t...