Driving drive: Sunil Chhetri will as soon as once more be the talisman as Igor Stimac’s males purpose to place their finest foot ahead in the Asian Cup in January subsequent yr.
| Photo Credit: BISWARANJAN ROUT
There is a mixture of hope and expectation as the senior Indian males’s soccer crew goes via the paces in the unrelenting summer season warmth, making an attempt to place its finest foot ahead in the continental competitors — the 18th version of the AFC Asian Cup which begins early subsequent yr.
Bhubaneswar, dwelling to Indian Super League aspect Odisha FC, has provided its services to the nationwide squad that has been picked primarily from the newest season of the nation’s prime league (ISL).
Former Croatian World Cupper Igor Stimac, who has helmed the Indian crew for the previous 4 years, has began the ultimate lap of the preparatory course of that can see the nation start its Asian Cup marketing campaign in the second week of January in Qatar.
The journey, which can witness seven months of preparation and competitions, shall be essential for the Indian crew as it can tackle the higher-ranked sides Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria in the group league stage of the Asian Cup’s ultimate leg.
The Indian males’s soccer crew loved its brightest section in the center of the earlier century, ending fourth in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and lifting the Asian Games crowns in 1951 and 1962; it had its superb second in the Asian Cup, too. That occurred nearly six many years in the past when it was the runner-up in 1964 in Israel. After the Asian Games bronze in 1970, India’s look on the podium utterly disappeared at the continental stage.
Renewed vigour
The Indians will discover renewed vigour as the nationwide federation, underneath the new regime of directors, has redrawn the roadmap of resurgence encapsulated in ‘Vision 2047’. The Asian Cup efficiency shall be the first section in the analysis of the nation’s ambition to get into the top-10 in the continent. The Blue Tigers have managed to qualify for the ultimate stage of the Asian Cup competitors on 4 events in the previous 4 many years (since 1984). But they haven’t been capable of progress past the group league stage, ending at the backside of the standings nearly each time. The largest problem is to interrupt the league stage jinx.
“It is going to be a tough battle for us. It is much tougher than four years ago (2019), but we will be there to fight every step of the way. It is all about the time in front of us to prepare well, obtain the work that is needed, and be at the strongest possible point by next January,” mentioned Stimac on the Asian Cup mission.
The Intercontinental Cup at Bhubaneswar, which introduced the gamers collectively for a three-week camp, is the first amongst the many competitions lined up. Stimac’s males booked a berth in the ultimate with wins over Mongolia and Vanuatu, the second victory made doable by Sunil Chhetri’s strike.
Preconceived notions
“In modern football a lot of teams which are treated as underdogs have shown us how to challenge preconceived notions. One name that comes immediately to mind is Morocco (in the recent FIFA World Cup), which has shown that if you are a good unit you can challenge any team. That should be our target.
“On paper it looks a bit more difficult than last time (2019), but nothing to worry. As far as our message to the country is concerned, we are going to give the best we have and will try to be as good as possible,” has been captain Chhetri’s assurance.
The talismanic striker, who shall be making his third Asian Cup look, appeared to attract confidence from ISL’s contribution in the progress of Indian soccer.
A tricky problem awaits India in the coming months.
| Photo Credit:
RITU RAJ KONWAR
“This is the opportunity to test the maximum players. After the SAFF championship, I hope our coach (Stimac) will have the scope to identify the core players and build the team over the next few months,” mentioned AIFF secretary-general Shaji Prabhakaran.
After the preparatory camp, which started in the second week of May, the gamers will bond collectively until the conclusion of the SAFF championship in the first week of July.
“Hopefully, we will get 18 to 20 matches in the next few months to prepare ourselves for the big occasion (Asian Cup). Our target is to be in the top-10 in Asia by 2026 and we are working towards it now. We have already moved up five places (FIFA ranking 101). We expect to get into double digits pretty soon and cross our best ranking of 94 by the end of the Asian Cup,” mentioned Prabhakaran about the rapid goal.
The Indian crew, together with the under-23 youth aspect, will compete in seven tournaments until November and Prabhakaran felt that it will give ample match follow.
“We are not ready yet. We are using the long-duration camp to improve our passing, finishing and patterns in the final third. We are also working on the mental strength of the players.
“We have a very experienced sports psychologist (Shayamal Vallabhjee) who is helping the players understand what we (coaching staff) are expecting from them,” mentioned Stimac, stressing on the want for the gamers to stay collectively for a longer interval as they hardly get sufficient match time with their golf equipment with regards to essential positions in assault, midfield and defence.
