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India played out a draw against the higher-ranked China in a friendly as part of preparations for the Asian Cup. From the Indian point of view, the draw was as good as a win, considering the level of players China had.
Sandesh Jhingan wore the captain's armband in place of Sunil and rightly so, he rallied the defense with as much rigour he can ever produce. For some reason, bigger responsibility seems to be bringing out better results from him. One can argue that Stephen Constantine knew that it will be the defense that will be key against China, and hence wanted Sandesh as the captain.
But in the end, you can say that move worked wonders.
But, in this article, let us look at the areas in which the Indian football needs to improve going forward.
# 1. Disastrous Passing accuracy of Indian Players
Indian team had a passing accuracy of 61% compared to the much better accuracy (78%) shown by the Chinese team. The Indians had just 341 completed passes while Chinese team had 568 completed passes.
On many occasions, it was seen that the Indian players were clearing the ball from the dangerous positions hoping that the clearance will land with another Indian player. But every time, the clearance ball went to the Chinese, only for them to plot another attack at the Indian goal line.
Also, even while going forward on the attacks, the Chinese players were found to be closing in on the Indian players much faster, and not providing enough time and space on the ball. On such occasions too, rather than pulling the game back and keeping possession, hopeful shots were played by the Indians towards the Chinese half, thus losing possession. The difference in tackling and dribbling abilities of the two teams is another matter in this regard.
61% passing accuracy is just not acceptable for any international side, and even though the Indians salvaged a draw, the team needs to get their act together next time.
# 2. Aerial battles and Sandesh Jhingan
Sandesh Jhingan may be the only person in the Indian defense to show superiority over the Chinese forwards while defending the high balls. Subasish Bose, playing as his central defense partner was guilty of yielding to the Chinese much more easily on the high balls. If not for Gurpreet, such moments of play could have been disastrous.
But, Sandesh Jhingan even with his high chances of winning the aerial duels, is poor in converting the headers to goals while trying to score from the corner kicks at the other end of the post. This is something which Sandesh needs to work on.
Sandesh had a real peach of a chance to score against China and his header went over the post. Even in the Indian Super League games, we have seen many times, Sandesh winning the aerial battles only to head the ball over the post .
If Jhinghan can work on his attacking side of the game, along with his defensive capabilities, it would add value to the team and make him a much bigger threat than what he is right now. Also, the other members of the Indian defense needs to start winning the aerial battles and tire the opposition strikers of service.
# 3. Converting the final touch
India had their chances against China to score- Not just one, but many. Oh boy! Think what would have been the headlines if one of them had converted it.
Even with all the possession China enjoyed, and relentless attacks Chinese players launched on the Indian goal-line, the Indian defense and the tall custodian stood firm to thrwart them.
Had Pritam played that shot a bit wider? Had Sunil Chettri got a better touch on that ball? Had Udanta held his nerves? Even Farukh..
It can be said that the Indian defense and the goalkeeper won them the draw, but the Indian forwards failed to capitalize on the D-day.
Stephen Constantine will definitely look at improving the quality of play in the final third. In football, when the opportunity comes, it should be grabbed with both hands, and it should be something the Indian team will need to work on before going to the Asian Cup, where they will have to counter much better oppositions than China and will need to score a goal to show that Indian Football has seen tremendous changes over the last decade.
