That is also the mechanic that makes coh2 more interesting then any other RTS.
Get an edge in any other RTS game, you'll have that edge until GG which might be right after first skirmish.
Remember Warcraft3? Loosing 2-3 grunts(these were the basic orc troops?) early pretty much sealed the game.
Thats what makes a strategy game good, just like chess... do a bad move and lose a pawn? Now you are at a disadvantage for the rest of the game unless you with skill make a comeback... chess never gives you back your pieces after a while...
Nothing is worse than outplaying your opponent for half the game and then with the stupid comeback mechanic they just call in double t-34-85 and suddenly its even again. Even if you hold both fuels for a good part of the game everyone has over 200 fuel around 11 CP if they dont build any buildings which noone hardly does anymore because the best units are callins anyway.