India succumbed to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Iran in their final group game of the AFC U-16 Championship. The Blues were outplayed for most of the game and an early goal from Mohammad Ghadderi all but ended their hopes of a semi-final berth. Two late penalties from Mohammad Sharifi ensured India could not claim a point from the tie.
Nicolai Adam had earlier targetted the semi-finals for his boys in the tournament and will be mightily disappointed with the outcome.
Iran, meanwhile will look to build on their phenomenal group stage results and go all the way in the tournament.
Here are 5 talking points from the game:
#1 India must work on their fitness
One of the Blues’ biggest weaknesses was their lack of fitness. In the three games played, the youngsters ran out of steam way too early and had no answer for the opposition’s aggressive mindset late on. Although the team generally started brightly, their legs gave way around the hour mark leaving them leggy and way off pace.
The lack of energy led to a number of misplaced passes as well as players being constantly out of position and opened up the play for the Iran midfield. Physically too, they were no match for the Iranians and lost key battles in important areas of the pitch.
With a year to go until the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Nicolai Adam will have his work cut out. Beefing up the players and improving their stamina and physicality must be the first priority for the coach.
#2 India’s defence looks extremely shaky
India conceded three yet again to add to their six from the previous games. The defence looked extremely shaky at times and lacked understanding. All three goals from this game could be attributed to defensive mistakes and lapses.
Mohammad Khan and Jitendra were especially poor in the heart of the defence and lacked cohesion. Often out of position, the pair were run ragged by the Iran attackers. The full backs too were extremely average.
Boris Thangjam although a threat in the offensive third was poor defensively. A red card 10 minutes into second half just made matters worse for the youngster and the team.
Mohamad Rakip was steady early on but he too faded as the game progressed and was withdrawn after 70 minutes.
The team haven’t learned from their mistakes in the previous two games where sloppy defending cost them points and this will be another area Adam will have to focus on before the World Cup.
#3 Iran set to challenge Japan for the crown
Iran comfortably topped their group and the way their side is playing, they look poised to topple Japan from their perch. Outstanding in all departments of the game, the side does not seem to possess any chinks in their armor.
With just three goals conceded in as many games, their defence looks extremely commanding and teams will find the side extremely hard to break down. Their physicality and strength is far superior to the other teams in the competition and this certainly is one of the biggest plus points for the side.
Offensively too, their understanding of each other’s games and quick passing is right up there with the best in the competition.
#4 Poor tactics by Nicolai Adam
In a must-win game for the Blues, the manager decided to sit back in the early stages and absorb the Iran pressure, a plan that ultimately failed. India conceded early on and could not find a way back into the important clash.
The extremely effective pressing employed in the two previous games was non-existent and the Iranians had too much time and space on the ball to control proceedings.
Add to that the fact that India’s two best players Aman Chhetri and Aniket Jadhav were left on the bench and came on only once the side were trailing meant that India just had no chance of winning the game.
Although ultimately the players failed to perform on the day, some blame must go to the manager for the way he set up his side.
#5 Aniket and Aman will be future India stars
Although the duo failed to shine tonight, their performances for the entirety of the tournament leaves nothing to the imagination. Aniket Jadhav and Aman Chhetri were by far India’s best players in the group stages and will definitely get a call-up to the national side sooner rather than later.
Their understanding of each other's games as well as their technical ability on the ball caused the opposition massive problems and the duo were the only reason India managed to play as well as they did.
Aniket, when employed on the wings, was especially threatening and while the pair’s finishing must improve, they are set to become the next generation of Indian stars.
