AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers: Lessons learnt by Team India

India has successfully qualified for the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 and in some style too. With India beating arch-rivals Pakistan and finishing top in their qualifying group (with a younger, experimental squad), the Bhangra Boys have learnt a few lessons from this outing.

Houghton isnt that bad after-all.

Bob was a hero last year, and then India lost 6-3. The increasingly agitated Indian fans asked him to take coaching lessons ( The language used was qute flowery). Then India lost 9-1 and that was it. Bob was the equivalent of Al Capone, John Dillinger or any other mafioso who comes to mind. The showing at the Asian Cup was not very good but at the same time not as bad as some(The AIFF) made them out to be. The second halves of all three matches were promising with India attacking in ways and lets face it, Bahrain almost lost to us.

Despite their age, most of the boys were in-experienced when it came to a competition of that magnitude and you couldnt really expect much. Houghton successfully coached a bunch of under-paid and unfit (on the international level) players to their first Asian Cup in 27 years! Im not saying that he is God but at the same time, he is the right way to go. He has raised the profile of the team in India and motivated them to perform under-pressure. Something which was seen during the Syria, Bahrain, Pakistan and Turkmenistan games.

Houghton may not be a Kenny Dalglish but at the same time hes not as bad as people say he is and he has given quite a lot to Indian football.

A new captain!

In Kuala Lumpur, Chhetri lead the team confidently and performed well at the same time. In the absence of Baichung Bhutia, Chhetri would make a fantastic captain. His only drawback might be his lack of composure, but with age comes maturity and the most important thing is that he’s just 26!!!

Jeje Lalpekhlua!

When the going gets tough. The tough get going.

And get going he did! 4 goals in 3 games isnt easy at the club level. Mighty difficult at the international level but on the first three international starts of your life.?Its simply mind blowing.

Scoring the equalizer against Pakistan in your second international game.? Well done boy ..well done.

At 20, probably the most promising youngster in the country!

Lets keep our fingers crossed that he just gets better.

Baichung isnt going to play forever after all.