FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Guam vs India - 4 things India must improve on

Over dependence on Sunil Chhetri can prove to be harmful

The entire team is dependent on Sunil Chhteri

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

Stephen Constantine should rethink the strategy of playing long balls

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.