Khel Now logo
HomeSportsIPL 2024Live Score

Indian Football Team

Belarus Vs India: Three key battles that could determine the victors

Published at :March 26, 2022 at 2:31 PM
Modified at :December 13, 2023 at 1:01 PM
Post Featured Image

(Courtesy : AIFF Media/Instagram/@Belarus_football_team)

JN Balraj


These tactical encounters could be vital in turning the tide in favour of the Blue Tigers or against them.

The Indian football team will play a friendly against Belarus in the next game on March 26 in order to prepare for the third round of Asian Cup Qualifiers. There have not been many instances when Asian teams have played against European sides. The last game was a reality check for Igor Stimac’s team.

The team is still lacking character and a system of play, despite being under the coach for two years. One can’t say the team have gotten better in these years. Consequently, they will need something miraculous to get a result from the tough game. 

Before the players pull up their socks and the referee blows his whistle, let’s have a glance at the three major battles which can decide the game.

3. Manvir Singh Vs Ruslan Yudenkov

Manvir Singh India
Manvir would want to score some goals with the national team (Courtesy: AIFF Media)

Considering how Belarus play, India are most likely to sit back and absorb the pressure, maintaining a stubborn backline. Igor Stimac’s side are unlikely to dominate possession. In fact, the game is expected to be played in their own half for the most part. In such a scenario, having a forward like Manvir in the arsenal can benefit the Blue Tigers.

Manvir Singh mostly plays as a winger for his club, but for India, he plays more centrally owing to the strikers' conundrum in the national team. Singh can break out on quick counter-attacks and score against the run of play. The India-Oman (1-0) game is a perfect example of this. To deliver the goods, India's Manvir will face a daunting duel against Belarus’ reliable centre-back Ruslan Yudenkov. 

The 34-year old defender’s game-reading ability, tendency to come up with clutch challenges helps his midfield to move up on the pitch and contribute to attack more. Ruslan rarely gets dribbled past, wins 70% of duels, and averages 4.7 clearances every game. All these numbers prove his solidity at the back. Manvir has to be clever about how he deals with this threat. And, unlike his last game, he would hope for some creativity and better delivery to notch a memorable goal.

2. Subhasish Bose Vs Pavel Sedko

India have had quality in their left-back department and players like Narayan Das served well in the Stephen Constantine era. Since then, oppositions have continuously exploited the left flank. In the last game against Bahrain, the winner came from Mohamed Marhoon’s cross from the left channel. Although Subhasish Bose puts up good numbers every game and has the trust of the coach, he commits himself and is caught out of position quite often.

Left-footed attacker Pavel Sedko is the obvious danger for the Blue Tigers. He along with experienced midfielder Bykov will look to make the most out of India's vulnerability on the defensive left side of the pitch. Pavel is an exciting young prodigy in Georgy Petrovich’s team. He can score screamers and find the poachers with pinpoint accurate crosses. However, the way India deals with him will be vital for the game against Belarus.

If Bose is able to stop Sedko from getting into those dangerous areas, he could cut down a prominent supply chain for Belarus’ goals. It is also vital for India to isolate Sedko using Bose, in order to clamp down on any offensive routes Belarus might generate.

1. Anirudh Thapa  Vs Vladislav Klimovich

Vladislav Klimovich
Thapa will have to wrestle control in midfield from Klimovich (Instagram/@Bahrain_football_team)

There is no better midfield disrupter in India than a fit and firing Anirudh Thapa if the Chennaiyin captain is at his best. In the last game, he came as a substitute without even a single training with the group. He is most likely to lead the midfield with Pronay Halder and the latter will be crucial in supporting Thapa to take the game forward. Their complementary role will be vital for India against Belarus.

The midfield duo will be assigned to stop versatile attacker Vladislav Klimovich from making any direct impact. The Belarus player averages 9.1 passes with 60% accuracy in the opposition half and plays a chipped pass in the box every game.

The European side will rely on his deliveries and defence penetrating passes. Thus, winding off his passes and preventing him from getting into those pockets of spaces will give the Indian team an edge over Belarus. 

Thapa also brings in the much-needed creativity and ball progression ability that the team lacked against Bahrain. And to make all the good intentions count for India, the midfield must act as a cohesive engine in the game against Belarus.

For more football updates, follow on TwitterInstagram and join our community on Telegram.

Advertisement

TRENDING TOPICS

IMPORTANT LINK

  • About Us
  • Home
  • Khel Now TV
  • Sitemap
  • Feed
Khel Icon

Download on the

App Store

GET IT ON

Google Play


2024 KhelNow.com Agnificent Platform Technologies Pte. Ltd.