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Venue: Dasarath Stadium, Kathmandu, Nepal
Kickoff: Monday, September 9 2013, 18:15 IST
Indian footballers pose for a group picture before their SAFF Championship football match against Pakistan in Kathmandu on September 1, 2013. (PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP/Getty Images)
Favourites
Although coach Istvan Urbanyi was diplomatic when asked if his side were the favourites for this semi-final, Maldives would surely feel that this is their best chance to not only beat India but even possibly embarrass them and take revenge of that 5-1 thrashing in the 1997 final, which also took place in Kathmandu.
Skipper Ali Ashfaq also branded this India team as the worst that he has ever seen, so clearly Maldives don’t rate Wim Koevermans’ side highly, but Urbanyi would be the first to remind them of the SAFF 2009 final, when Maldives failed to score against the India U-23s and eventually lost on penalties, with Ashfaq having a dismal outing.
On paper and based on their form in this tournament, Maldives are clearly the better of the two sides and favourites to reach the final, but the island nation can’t take anything for granted and must produce a strong team performance.
The worry for Urbanyi will be the fact that his side are yet to be adequately tested as they thumped Sri Lanka and Bhutan, two of the weakest teams of the region, and physically had it easy as they played the majority of those matches against ten men. Not too much can be made from their goalless draw against Afghanistan, as it was a game in which both sides were unwilling to take any risks, but the big talking point was that the Maldives’ attack looked toothless without Ashfaq.
While Maldives would be happy that India captain Sunil is unavailable, they would also hope that their skipper and talisman Ashfaq remains fit for the entire game. But more importantly, the Red Snappers shouldn’t be over reliant on Ashfaq, otherwise it would make India’s task easier just like the 2011 semi-final, when a half-fit Ashfaq just couldn’t inspire Maldives as they lost 3-1.
India’s unconvincing displays in the group stage will encourage Maldives, but it would be interesting to see how they deal with the pressure of being the favourites because it is an unfamiliar position for them against India, and they didn’t cope with it well four years ago.
The first half showing against Bhutan will also be a good reminder for Maldives that this match is not won by any means, and they have looked a bit ragged without the ball and conceded quite a few chances in all three games. Maldives must have a go at India from the very first whistle and should look to maintain a high intensity, because Wim Koevermans’ would possibly look to sit back and frustrate the 2008 winners.
History favours India, but there are huge expectations from this Maldives side and victory in this game would be a big step towards regaining the South Asian title.
Poor Form
India somehow maintained their perfect record of making the past the group stage in every edition but fans, media, former players and coaches have been quite vocal about their poor displays. The six-time record SAFF Champions and current holders have been severely criticised for being outplayed by lower ranked teams, who they used to defeat easily even three or four years ago.
Koevermans rightly hasn’t been willing to talk much about the past, and like most coaches around the world has been defending his players and tactics. However, deep down, the Dutchman must be a little frustrated by his team’s inability to adjust to his tactics, although Koevermans is also equally guilty of playing players out of position and also tweaking his formation for a crucial game against Nepal, as his midfielders in particular looked clueless during the game and it could have eliminated India from the tournament.
It would be interesting to see how the team performs in the absence of skipper Sunil Chhetri. The general feeling from outside is that India are going to struggle, as they have been so overdependent on their star striker and captain. But after the Nepal game, almost every member of the squad has talked about an opportunity for others to step up and take responsibility.
Indian football fans would be hoping that is the case, because the team can’t perform any worse than they have in the group stage. So although it’s true that India have gone backwards in the last two years, the players owe the nation a performance and with three days of rest before the semi-final, there cannot be any excuses of fatigue also. Despite all the negativity, India will still take heart for making the semis without being at their best, and would look to finally peak in the knock-out rounds.
There are suggestions from the Bengali-speaking media in Kolkata that Koevermans’ job is safe and doesn’t depend on India’s showing at SAFF 2013 at all. Even if that is true, the former Dutch international won’t want to be the coach that oversees India’s worst performance in this tournament since 2003.
Although he played down past results, some players will surely remind themselves of their last three meetings against Maldives, all of which ended in victory. Going by Maldives’ flaws defensively, Koevermans should consider playing two strikers upfront, even if that increases the risk of losing the battle in midfield, because it would be difficult to keep a clean sheet, so India might have to score a couple.
Set-pieces are another area where India can hurt Maldives, but to earn them they would have to show more bite going forward and the traditional 4-4-2 might be the best option for that. The expectations from this India side have been lowered back home, but the dismal display in the group stage will be forgotten if Koevermans guides them to the final again.
Maldives football player Ali Asfaq (C) vies with Bhutanese opponents Pema (L) and Chencho during the SAFF Championship football match in Kathmandu on September 4, 2013. (PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP/Getty Images)
Team News
Maldives
Ali Ashfaq will of course return to the starting line-up after being unused against Afghanistan in the last group game, as he was on a booking. Urbanyi is likely to employ a 3-5-2, but it could change during the game depending on India’s system and the scoreline, as Maldives defensively haven’t looked solid and were completely exposed by Bhutan for one half.
Possible XI: Imran Mohamed; Mohamed Sifan, Akram Abul Gani, Shafiu Ahamed; Ali Fasir, Mohamed Arif, Ahamed Niyaz, Mohamed Umair, Mohamed Rasheed; Ashadulla Abdulla, Ali Ashfaq.
India
The big decision for Koevermans will be to decide whether he plays two upfront or sticks to his 4-4-1-1 formation. Since it’s a semi-final, the Dutch coach is expected to retain his favourite system and Jeje Lalpekhlua is likely to get the nod upfront as the lone striker. Syed Rahim Nabi is likely to keep his place in the team and should start in left midfield, which would provide adequate cover for left back Mohanraj, while Francis Fernandes should return to the eleven after missing the Nepal game due to a calf injury.
Possible XI: Subrata Pal, Nirmal Chettri, Gouramangi Singh, Arnab Mondal, Nallappan Mohanraj; Francis Fernandes, Lenny Rodrigues, Mehtab Hossain, Syed Rahim Nabi; Jewel Raja; Jeje Lalpekhlua.
Form Guide
Maldives: DWWWD
Maldives are not only unbeaten at SAFF Championship 2013 but also haven’t lost a game in this calendar year. Their last defeat in an official match came against India in the 2012 Nehru Cup, and they haven’t defeated India’s senior team since the SAFF 2008 final.
India: LLWDL
Following the defeat to Nepal, India’s record under Koevermans reads (Played 12; Won: 5; Drawn: 2; Lost: 5) and just three wins in eight matches on foreign soil. But he guided India to a 3-0 victory over Maldives in last year’s Nehru Cup and would happily settle for even a 1-0 victory this time.
Player To Watch
Maldives – Ali Ashfaq
The Maldives superstar admitted that he is currently having the best phase of his career, but it would be meaningless if he doesn’t have a major national team honour to show for it. Ashfaq will be determined to get on the score sheet in this game and inspire Maldives to their fifth finals appearance.
India – Syed Rahim Nabi
The reigning AIFF Player of the Year is undoubtedly the only other real match winner that India has besides Sunil Chhetri, and with the captain suspended, Nabi will have to take more responsibility. He has scored in his last two matches against Maldives and will have to score in this game also if India wants to reach the final.
