Fresh from clinching the Intercontinental Cup in Bhubaneshwar, India needed to shift base instantly to Bengaluru for the SAFF Championship. With eight titles (on the time) and beginning the match because the defending champions, the Blue Tigers had been touted because the favourites on house soil. But this time, it wasn’t simply the South Asian international locations the Indians had to consider.
The West Asian international locations of Lebanon and Kuwait had been invited to compete within the SAFF Cup. It was the primary time within the competitors’s historical past {that a} nation exterior the South Asian Football Federation would take part within the competitors.
While India had an thought about Lebanon, having confronted it twice within the Intercontinental Cup and crushed it within the closing, Kuwait was principally an unknown entity. The two nations final clashed in a global pleasant in 2010, the place the Blue Tigers suffered a 9-1 drubbing towards the Al-Azraqs.
Indian captain Sunil Chhetri relished the prospect of an added problem and welcomed the thought of getting Lebanon and Kuwait, saying that going through more durable groups will solely assist India sharpen its abilities forward of going through heavyweights akin to Syria, Uzbekistan and Australia within the Asian Cup subsequent yr.
In the tip, India reigned supreme and defended its SAFF title efficiently, beating Kuwait 5-4 on penalties within the summit conflict, however the path to victory wasn’t easy.
Tumult on the touchlines
India head coach Igor Stimac was within the highlight for all of the mistaken causes and noticed two pink playing cards within the match that prevented the Croat from being on the touchlines for even one full match.
The first got here in India’s opener towards Pakistan, the place he bought his marching orders for a touchline scuffle that began when Stimac impeded a Pakistan throw-in. The second got here towards Kuwait, when he noticed pink due to caustic remarks directed on the match official.
All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey lauded Stimac for the work he put in behind the scenes however mentioned that “two red cards in a tournament is not expected from a coach of his stature and experience.” Commenting on the coach’s extended absence, Chhetri, too, mentioned that it’s not helpful for the ‘leader’ to be absent on the sidelines, particularly throughout high-tension matches just like the semifinal and the ultimate.
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The solely optimistic that emerged from Stimac’s indiscipline was assistant coach Mahesh Gawli’s coming into the highlight. He was an brisk presence on the pitch, continually screaming directions at his gamers. Off the pitch, he maintained an equally reserved manner, resorting to brief one-liners when requested concerning the workforce’s efficiency. The solely time Gawli made his voice clear was throughout his harsh criticism directed at SAFF officers for his or her “unfair” remedy in the direction of Stimac, who, in line with Gawli, was a sufferer of the sub-standard refereeing.
Giant leap: India’s Sandesh Jhingan in motion in the course of the SAFF closing.
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MURALI KUMAR Okay
Solid backline-stagnant midfield-poor ending
India’s greatest optimistic in current occasions has been its defence. It loved clear sheets in all 4 matches within the Intercontinental Cup win, and within the SAFF Championships, the Blue Tigers conceded simply two targets in 5 matches — each towards Kuwait within the group stage and closing, respectively.
While Sandesh Jhingan and Anwar Ali have change into a formidable duo on the coronary heart of the backline, Stimac has used attacking fullbacks in Nikhil Poojary and Akash Mishra. Starting together with his most popular 4-3-3, India has typically reworked right into a 3-5-2, the place Poojary and Mishra have operated as wingbacks and supported the wingers.
With the defence trying in form, the Blue Tigers’ concern begins additional up the pitch. Their lack of creativity in the midst of the park has been alarming, and all through the SAFF Championship, there was hardly any buildup from midfield.
India has in a position workhorses like Anirudh Thapa, Jeakson Singh and Sahal Abdul Samad in midfield. While Jeakson was a powerful presence within the defensive midfield place, enjoying a vital function in breaking the transitional performs of opponents, Sahal and Thapa left the group craving for extra with their general decision-making.
The main concern within the Indian midfield boiled right down to holding the ball for too lengthy. Delaying the ultimate move resulted in plenty of strikes breaking down, together with plenty of counterattacks. Also, the midfield gave the impression to be overdependent on Chhetri, and the primary intuition was to move the ball to the Indian captain, even when it was not at all times essentially the most viable possibility.
India’s ending within the closing third additionally raised doubts about how prepared this workforce is to face higher-ranked groups sooner or later. Compared to the prospect creation, the ending was majorly missing.
Speaking on this, Chhetri mentioned, “Our conversion rate was poor in terms of other attributes of the game like defence, attacking corners, defensive corners, and time management. The final pass and the finishing were probably the poorest parts of our game in totality.”
As for Stimac, he additionally didn’t mince his phrases and mentioned that his gamers are carrying unhealthy habits from the Indian Super League (ISL). Criticising their decision-making within the closing third, he identified that they have an inclination to move quite a bit when there are taking pictures alternatives.
Apart from its defence, India’s soccer down the flanks was one other optimistic. Lallianzuala Chhangte was a menace on the correct flank together with his capability to tackle defenders and ship correct crosses in the midst of the field. On the left, the skilled Ashique Kuruniyan wasn’t at his crossing greatest. However, his capability to retain the ball below strain was an asset for the Blue Tigers.
Talking about wingers, one can not exclude Naorem Mahesh Singh, who was a revelation within the SAFF Championship. Mainly used from the bench, the teenager impressed on the left each time he was placed on. Apart from his crossing capability, Mahesh possesses wonderful shut management, which is beneficial in tight areas. There had been a number of events the place he seemed like he would concede possession, however his fast ft and shut management bailed him out, and earlier than his marker realised it, he was already previous him.
The group stage match towards Nepal became a particular evening for Mahesh, as he scored his debut purpose for India and bagged an help after organising Chhetri for his 91st worldwide purpose. The efficiency earned him the ‘Man of the Match’ award.
Coach class: Igor Stimac celebrates with the trophy
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MURALI KUMAR Okay
Time and house vital for the workforce
Overall, it has been a fruitful nationwide camp for India when it comes to silverware, however the work doesn’t cease right here. With the Asian Cup on the horizon, Chhetri mentioned the workforce wants to enhance all departments, and prolonged nationwide camps are vital for the gamers to operate as a unit.
Stimac put out a direct message to the authorities, demanding longer nationwide camps.
“[The] Asian Cup is far away. The most important time for the National team of India to prepare well for the Asian Cup is December. We are looking for a minimum [of] four weeks [of] preparation. The rest doesn’t matter.”
The Croat mentioned his workforce must be given time and house to work collectively. If not, then his gamers or employees wouldn’t be liable to take accountability. Senior gamers like Chhetri and Jhingan additionally backed their coach’s demand.
India’s subsequent project is the King’s Cup in Thailand, the place it will likely be the second-highest-ranked workforce (100) after Iran (70). Apart from Iran, the Blue Tigers would have Lebanon and host Thailand to deal with. With the Asian Cup on the horizon, successful matches and gaining morale are paramount for India, and it’ll hope to hold its optimistic momentum into the match and add one other feather to its cap by successful it for the primary time.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com