'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
India visit Guam to take on the host nation in the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers group stage match. India faced defeat in the opening match of the group stage last week against Oman while Guam surprisingly defeated Turkmenistan to register full points in the opening game. The last time these two sides met was in 2013 when the men in blue thrashed Guam 4-0. A lot has changed since then and the Guam side has improved a lot. An interesting clash is on the cards and India will have to be cautious in tomorrow’s game.
The Indians did a fine job against a strong Oman side and exhibited great spirit throughout the game. Some silly defensive errors and referee’s decision stopped India from getting at least a point against a mush illustrious opponent. Stephen Constantine’s men need to improve in some of the areas in order to raise their game standard and win the game against the on-paper minnows.
Here are the four things India must do to win tomorrow’s game and bag full point from the away match.
Indian Defenders must improve
India went down by a narrow margin of 2-1 against mighty Oman last week in the opening match of the World Cup qualifiers. Oman, who are placed 40 places above India in the FIFA ranking failed to produce a dominant affair much to the credit of the Indian players. A person who has not watched the game closely will most definitely credit the Indian defenders for such a scoreline, but in reality it was because of the Indian defenders that the Omanis managed to score 2 goals.
The first goal was scored within 30 seconds of the kick-off. The away side eased past the Indian defenders and scored a simple goal. The second goal was scored in the 40th minute when Dhanachandra Singh pulled off a ridiculous tackle on the opponent striker to give away a penalty. The coordination between the two center backs Arnab Mondal and Dhanachandra Singh was not up to the mark.
Also the Bengaluru full-backs Rino Anto and Lalchhaummawia Fanai went out of positions in quite a few occasions. The defenders have to work hard in tomorrow’s game against Guam so that India does not falter yet again.
Robin Singh must raise his standard
Bengaluru FC forward Robin Singh is one of the best strikers in the country right now. The tall well built Tata Football Academy striker has an intimidating physique which is a necessity in international matches. When he broke into the Indian football scenario 5 years back he created a furor among the Indian fans. Unfortunately, Singh failed to live up to our expectations.
Robin Singh plays a target man role in the Indian squad, but most of the times gives the ball away easily due to a poor first touch. He lacks speed and is easily outpaced by opponent defenders. Also on several occasions he misses goal scoring opportunities which actually harm India’s cause.
In the previous match against Oman, he was extremely poor and possibly was the worst performer in the Indian outfit. He is the only proper number 9 India have right now. Thus, in order to improve India’s game Robin Singh has to raise his game standards.
Over dependence on Sunil Chhetri can prove to be harmful
Stephen Constantine took away the captain’s armband from Sunil Chhetri as soon as he took charge of the national side this year. He did this just to prove his point that no player is indispensable in his team and also silently conveyed a message that India are not dependent on the Bengaluru FC attacker. In reality, the entire team’s performances depend upon Chhetri’s game and he is still the unofficial leader of this side.
Sunil Chhetri has always been instrumental in national colours and leads the team from the front. In the last match too, Chhetri scored a blinder of goal in the first half to restore parity for the hosts. He is playing in a free role under Constantine which has actually enhanced his game.
He works as a connection between the midfield and the number 9. However, India are heavily dependent on how Chhetri performs. This can be dangerous for the Indian side because the day Sunil Chhetri will fail to deliver the entire team will get stagnated and suffer. Other players have to shoulder the responsibility for goal scoring as Chhetri has scored 8 of India's 10 goals.
Come out of the long ball strategy
India have played impressive football so far under British manager Stephen Constantine. Be it the pre-qualifier games against Nepal or the last match against Oman, our boys exhibited wonderful attacking football. The only problem with Constantine’s style is that the team is playing too many long balls which is at times proving ineffective.
The midfielders pick up the balls from the backline and floats long ball targeting number 9 Robin Singh. While the attacking flair is there in the game the style is absolutely not eye-soothing. Indians have to give up on their long ball strategy as soon as possible to produce better football and better results.
