India are ready to take on Iran in the AFC Asian Cup later tonight and while the memories of the latter's 3-0 win at our home linger around, the squad that travelled to Tehran has a few additions and few omissions. Stephen Constantine has picked a relatively young – yet fairly experienced – side to take on the 44th ranked FIFA international team.
If India were to lose the game to Iran, they'd be knocked out of the running to qualify for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Rock bottom in group D, India only have one game left in their calendar against Turkmenistan on March 29.
With Sunil Chhetri pulling out of the Iran match with a groin injury and Robin Singh still out with a long-term injury, the hope of the country falls on the shoulders of Jeje Lalpekhlua and the bunch of youngsters who have travelled with to the Iranian capital. Here are five youngsters who could really impress on the international stage: (in no particular order)
#5 Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
Gurpreet is no stranger to Indian football fans. The 24-year-old goalkeeper currently plies his trade with Norwegian Tippeligaen club Stabæk and the honour of playing in Europe – as well as qualifying for the Europa League earlier this season – has led him to cement his spot between the poles for the Indian national side.
The 6.4 ft keeper has a commanding presence in goal and has often stood up to challenging and imposing strikers with ease. Against many of group opposition Indian played in the qualifiers, Gurpreet's saves heavily helped India maintain a respectable scoreline.
Against Iran, Gurpreet will come against a very physical opposition who also often try to score from distance. The pace of the game should be nothing new to him but he's got to be on his toes to ensure India have the right backbone to base their attacks on.
#4 Udanta Singh
Udanta Singh – like Gurpreet – has had experience in Europe as early as last year. The Bengaluru FC winger spent four months with English League Two side Oxford United and learnt a lot about the way the English play the game.
After rejoining Bengaluru FC in December, Ashley Westwood – the manager – said he had seen a huge improvement in the way the teenage plays. Udanta added some more pace, off-the-ball movement and strength to his game greatly helping both his club and his national team – when called upon.
Against Iran, Udanta will be expected to make the best of his learnings from England. While the Iranians use their pace and speed to counter, Udanta will have to track back and ensure his defender isn't left alone in a 2 on 1 situation that could culminate in a goal.
Given the young age, and his relative experience, Udanta has every chance to shine versus Iran.
#3 Rowlin Borges
A shy and silent boy from Nuvem, Goa, Rowlin Borges is one of the better midfielders India has seen in recent years. At 23, he's got a great career ahead and hopefully can continue to represent the country as often as possible.
Rowlin was surprisingly not picked by any team in the Indian Super League this season even after impressing for the national team and Sporting Club Goa in the Indian I-League. Nonetheless, Rowlin is picked by his national team manager, Constantine, who continues to show his faith in the youngster.
Rowlin is a dynamic midfielder able to cover more ground than most of his teammates and its this dynamism and drive that often dictates the speed and the outcome of India's attacks. Rowlin impressed heavily in his previous two games against Sri Lanka and Nepal – against whom he scored one – but against Iran, will have to ensure he plays a smarter game than he usually does.
#2 Holicharan Narzary
The Assamese, Holicharan Narzary, is a very tricky winger India have. He's got the pace, the skills and the confidence to get past a defender on a one-on-one situation and this is what makes him one of the vital members of the national team.
He has played for both North East United FC and Dempo - contractually tied to the latter – and has impressed Constantine enough to earn a chance to represent India on the largest stage of the footballing competition there is yet.
Much like Udanta, Holicharan will really need to step his game up and contribute defensively to ensure India have a chance to securing points. Against Iran, he's going to have to play a smart game unlike his usual brash and quick game. While that might help going thick and fast through an attack, the physicality and the pace of the Iranians will give him little time to make things right.
Holicharan has an extremely bright future ahead of him and can learn from these kind of matches to ensure he's on the right path.
#1 Pritam Kotal
The energetic and enthusiastic right-back of Mohan Bagan, Pritam Kotal, is one of the best defenders India has at the moment. Solid at the back, quick on the break and a great sense of the game has often separated Kotal from the rest of his team.
It is with this confidence that Constantine picked Kotal for such an important game knowing very well the youngster will give him a 100% performance irrespective of who or how many opposition players he's against.
While Kotal's biggest strength is his ability to read the game and effectively intercept attacks, his forward runs and crosses into the box are also equally impressive. Against Iran, however, his defensive game has to be better than usual. They're faster, fitter, more physical and can really sap the life out of a defence with their incredible attacks but unlike every team, have the chance to fail miserably. Kotal is a player who can create that doubt when given the chance.
