King’s Cup 2023: Litmus test for India to find its next No. 9 with FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers ahead

When Sunil Chhetri, a 39-year-old ahead, outweighs each nationwide crew ahead when it comes to health and goal-poaching, it’s an apparent downside Igor Stimac and his crew want to assume forward about.

It just isn’t rocket science to determine the overdependence of the crew on Chhetri for targets. The Blue Tigers rode on his winner towards Vanuatu within the Intercontinental Cup, and he was the Golden Boot and Golden Ball winner within the SAFF Championships.

Chhetri is the No. 9. But for a way lengthy?

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Last season, the Bengaluru FC captain initially fell off the pecking order of the beginning squad beneath Simon Grayson, the pinnacle coach of the Indian Super League (ISL) facet.

But his presence as the only real nationwide crew striker (within the beginning XI) has change into fait accompli primarily as a result of no younger striker has been pretty much as good as him.

The King’s Cup 2023, India’s subsequent worldwide sport within the September FIFA window, would possibly simply present a silver lining right here.

Chhetri has requested to be not noted for private causes, and three forwards have been named within the squad – Manvir Singh, Rahul KP and Rahim Ali, of which solely Manvir and Rahim are conventional strikers.

Robin Singh, who was himself India’s go-to No. 9 as soon as, caught up with  Sportstar to debate who would possibly simply be the answer to the issue.

“I think each striker brings something different to the game. I used to bring the physicality, and Sunil (still) brings the poacher’s instinct. Even Jeje (Lalpekhlua) brought that when he used to play,” Robin says.

“With the new batch, we can start with Ishan Pandita, he’s got the ability to make those runs behind (the defence). So, he consistently needs game time to hone his craft.”

Ishan, nevertheless, has struggled with damage issues and has been lacking from motion for the final two worldwide tournaments, recuperating from a torn hamstring since June 2023.

Robin, who as soon as cast a formidable trio with Chhetri on the appropriate and Jeje on the left, between 2010 and 2016, quips that Manvir would possibly simply be the panacea to the conundrum of discovering a frontrunner for the nationwide crew’s assault.

“Someone that I feel, can play as a versatile striker, is Manvir,” he says.

Manvir, the previous Minerva Punjab ahead, not too long ago gained the Durand Cup with Mohun Bagan Super Giant – his second trophy in six months, having gained the Indian Super League (ISL) title with the identical membership in March 2023.

“He is brilliant on the wing but as a No. 9, he just needs that supply. We have seen him score goals in every tournament that he plays,” provides Robin.

A two-way downside

The problem of not having a traditional ahead, additionally, may be partly attributed to the way in which the ISL golf equipment function.

In the final 5 years, groups who’ve gained the league have all had their forwards as overseas gamers, be it Roy Krishna (for ATK) or Bartholomew Ogbeche (Mumbai City FC after which Hyderabad FC).

Sunil Chhetri: The epitome of a modern-day footballer

“In the end, it comes down to what the coach wants and also, how hard a player works to fight for that spot. So, when you say the club has to decide on the No.9 (as an Indian), it also has to be a matter of belief by the coaches,” Robin says.

“I’ve been honoured enough to play for coaches who trusted me and I made sure that I repaid that trust, from Trevor Morgan to Ashley Westwood. My job was to ensure East Bengal or Bengaluru FC wins, not put Robin Singh on the scoresheet.”

There has been some hope on the finish of the tunnel, although. Sivasakthi Narayanan, the prolific 22-year-old, has been a revelation for Bengaluru FC. But the tendency to prioritise a foreigner as a No. 9 continues to be an issue for Indian soccer.

Siva, too, has been held again by accidents. Stimac, in a press interplay earlier, stated that the ahead isn’t any extra the participant he was after selecting up an damage within the ISL final season.

It is right here that King’s Cup will get context. Beyond the banal formalities of a world pleasant, it turns into the litmus take a look at to test who may be the No. 9.

Rahim, the blue-eyed prodigy from the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, was touted as one with immense potential however has not lived as much as the expectations—one thing he would possibly get to alter this time, in Thailand.

India performs higher-ranked Iraq (ranked 70 to India’s 99) within the semifinal and both Lebanon or the host (Thailand) within the subsequent sport.

And Robin feels this crew has sufficient potential to win the match.

“I want them to be champions. I think it’s a great opportunity for the team to perform at the King’s Cup,” he says, “We can definitely beat Lebanon and Thailand. I am pretty confident about that. The questions arise on Iraq but I think the team has enough talent to go on and beat anybody across their path.”

“When I spoke to Igor, he said no position is guaranteed. If you work hard, you play for me, and that shows,” he provides.

India is scheduled to play within the Asian Games with the nucleus of this crew, whereby Chhetri will return.

But within the bigger scheme of issues, with the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers a few months away, Stimac might be busy on his drafting board, in search of options to exchange, maybe, India’s best-ever purpose scorer.