#4 The game-play
The match against Puerto Rico yesterday had a lot of importance bearing on it. Stephen’s contract expires in February next year and there are very few International matches to play before that. India’s relatively second string side had recently defeated 192nd ranked Bhutan 3-0 recently, but Puerto Rico are ranked 114th, which was a much bigger challenge in itself for the perennial underdogs, India.
The match began in similar fashion like it has for India, forever. The team went down 1-0 courtesy to a defensive mishap/slip from Jackichand Singh, who was eventually India’s final scorer in the match.
There was a difference in the side though. India was playing with a creative centre-line, a defensive pair with overlapping and confident side-backs and a striker with a supporting forward. India looked a different side on the field and looked confident and fearless on the ball. The team chased a lot, played sharp, direct football and was astutely led by Sunil Chhetri in the attack.
In the match, India kept the ball at its feet, ran hard and played fast, attacking football. Eugenson Lyngdoh, an unearthed gem for Indian football by Constantine, and our costliest midfielder, yet again, proved his invaluableness with constant through-balls and brilliant deliveries throughout the match. Pronoy Halder played the role of a sweeper to perfection, keeping the line clear for defence and carried the ball out to attack on occasions. The only weak-link in this squad is probably senior defender Arnab Mondal.
Thus, with time, it seems Constantine has been able to put his ideas to his pupils, which is beginning to show the desired results now. The team looks attractive and the love for creative football is ample in India to form the 12th man for this team.
