India V Pakistan : Talking Points

The India vs Pakistan Friendly series which took place over the course of 5 days including 2 matches, concluded with much heartbreak for the Indian Contingent, failing to dominate both the matches. Apart from an uncanny and rusty performance, the Boys In Blue also failed to work as a single unit. The three seniors players selected to play alongside the U-23 players were, Indian Captain Sunil Chhetri, his strike partner at Bengaluru FC, Robin Singh and Goan Francis Fernandes. The U-23 Squad included big names like Pritam Kotal and Lalrindika Ralte. Both the matches were an eye-candy for the Pakistanis but a failed implementation of tactics by the Indian Contingent. The First match finished 1-0, India winning by a whisker through a Sunil Chhetri goal, however the second match ended with a glorious 2-0 win for arc-rivals Pakistan. The Hard Tackle takes a look at the Talking Points induced from the two matches.

Robin Singh providing the assist for Chhetri in the First Match

Uneven Senior Selection

It was decided that the U-23 starting line up would compromise of Three Senior Players . India in a strange decision picked Sunil Chhetri, Robin Singh and Franics Fernandes. On first look, these three players have been brilliant for their domestic club sides, however when it comes to the National Team only Captain Sunil Chhetri has been inspirational and one of the leading lights in the Indian Contingent. The inclusion of Three Attackers was a big shock, this meant there would be no senior player in the Defense or the Midfield region of the game. An ideal selection would be consisting of 2 attackers 1 defender or 1 attacker 1 midfielder 1 defender, all of which would provide experience and quality to the different aspects of the game.

Lack of Chemistry

Before the match, Pakistan’s coach Mhuhammad Al Shamlan Mubarak pointed out rightly in his press conference, that the lack of chemistry could hurt the Indian Team. A few hours later, it was pretty much evident on the field. There were no signs of chemistry between the Indian Senior players and the U-23 lads. Passes were misplaced, through balls were over-shot and school-boy errors were made by both the age groups of the team. Sunil Chhetri who was operating as the Attacking Midfielder had to constantly cross the Indian Half way line to collect the ball. It was pretty much evident that the U-23 squad played on a lesser wavelength as compared to the three senior players in the Team.

Hero or Villain ?

The inclusion of Robin Singh in the squad, has always been dubiously looked by the Indian Faithful. Apart from his tall frame and stocky build, Robin does little when it comes to technicality. His anger and frustration was for all to see when he was sent off in the first match against Pakistan, leaving India helpless and without a recognized striker for the second match. At 6’1 Robin is one of the tallest players in the Indian Contingent, but ironically he fails to put his body to the best of its use. Leading the line against Pakistan, the Noida born man, failed to control long balls and through balls. His constantly drifting to the wings was another reason that India were left struggling in the final third. Apart from a brilliant flicked header which gave the assist for Sunil Chhetri to score before Half Time in the opening match, Robin was pretty much absent when it arrived to pressing and holding up the play.

The Enigma of Franceso

It is sad to see a player of his caliber and stature deliver poor performances constantly. First things first, Francis Fernandes should have never been selected as a senior player, because of his ability to go missing throughout matches. Wim Kovermars risked starting with Fernandes in both the matches and it was pretty evident that Francis did not justify his inclusion. In both the matches, apart from being pathetic, Francis could not even find a defense splitting ball. Operating as a winger, he failed to deliver one single cross and was poor in finishing a chance where the keeper was left scrambling. Technically India played with 10men, Francis Fernandes, was never seen to contribute anything to the Indian Lineup. Outrageously, Francis did not track back on numerous occasions providing Pakistan an easy way through the Indian Defense.

Defensive Frailties

Though conceding only two goals in a span of two matches, the Indian Back four failed to contain an average looking Pakistani strike-force. Apart from a solid performance by Sandesh Jhingan, the Indian back four looked like a school team side, easily ravished by piercing attacks. The Wing Back position (RB and LB) were compromised with neither Pritam or Narayan, stepping up. Almost every Pakistani attack was made down the wings, which the duo failed to contain. Joyner who operated as a Center Back was pretty much average over the course of two matches, but made some school-boy errors in controlling lowly passes, providing the Pakistani strikers to burst through on goal in two-three occasions. It looked as if the Indian Back four could not even contain a Pakistani counter attack when the Pakistanis played to their fullest. Inaccurate Long balls were often seen and the distribution of play was also irregular by the Central Defenders.What hurt the Indian Back four was the absence of a experienced Central Defender, who would provide depth and steele alongwith a proper organized defensive framework to the squad, all of which the Back Four lacked.

Absence of a Midfield Enforcer

The absence of a solid midfield player hurt the Indian Contingent the most. Pronoy Halder, showed signs of a midfield general but was often complacent in the task. Apart from being poor to control the ball and pass it to another, the Indian contingent was also pathetic in linking up the play between the defense and the attack. The Midfield which acts as a transitional zone, rarely exhibited the Link connecting defense and attack. Sunil Chhetri had to constantly drop off from the final third to receive balls. Franics Fernandes playing as a Winger was rarely given a chance to stretch his legs. No proper distribution of balls, along with no holding up play resulted in a very amateur looking Indian side. It was evident that the Pakistanis even though with less quality were effective in the final third.

Failed Tactical Implementation

Robin drifted wide and Chhetri played deep

When Bob Houghton was replaced by Wim Kovermars, the AIFF gave a statement as to how it wants to see more of the attacking football, which was seldom seen under Bob. These two matches have been a reality check for the AIFF. Playing a 4-2-3-1, the boys in blue were lost when it came to operating as a unit. Rarely the RB and the LB overlapped the Wingers, the mid field pivot was not working as a single unit, with conflicts in passing. Madar Rao Desai was often the only player which acted as a Winger, deploying himself wide into the Pakistani final third. Robin Singh often drifted towards the wings, failing to provide a target-man for the Indian Players to cross to. Francis Fernandes was lost in his own world, being poor throughout the two matches. Sunil Chhetri playing as an attacking midfielder was mostly being played as a Central Midfielder with freedom to burst forward. Droping deep meant a loss of player in the final third, with the wingers inable to operate, goal scoring chances were rare to come by. The lack of cohesivness between the three men operating behind the lone striker resulted in the lack of ideas and prowess in the final third. The 4-2-3-1 worked as a 4-2-1-2-1 with no real player to adjust the rhythm of the game.

Bright Spots

Apart form Sunil Chhetri being the leading light in a below par Indian side, Mandar Rao Desai and Sandesh Jhingan delivered decent performances. Mandar Rao Desai played his part perfectly, drifting wide and taking on players to deliver threatning crosses. His tactical awareness was perfect and could be even more so, if he would start tracking back. On the other hand, Sandesh Jhingan played the solid brick in the Indian Defense. A no nonsense defender, Sandesh seldom committed fouls and often displaced the ball with ease. His tactical awareness was fantastic as he acted as a cover for Narayan. He produced some quality balls for Madar to thrive upon but was often poor in the distribution of balls. Representing the India U-23 both Mandar and Sandesh have the quality to become decent players and maybe represent the Indian National Team in years to come.

Even though India are ranked above Pakistan, it was clearly evident that Pakistan played as a much higher ranked nation. It would be legit to say that Pakistan performed excellent given their standard over the course of these two matches. The road ahead for India is filled with pain. A wave of dismay has already been initiated by the Indian Football faithful, calling for the head of coach Wim Kovermars. With the Asian Games at hand, it is highly unlikely to see Wim leaving, but a disappointing performance in these Games could very well lead to the Dutchman getting the Axe.

Tags: India vs pakistan football

Lack of Chemistry And Failed Tactical Implementations Hurt India : India V Pakistan

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