More positives than negatives for India in Jordan defeat

Although the Blue Tigers lost the game against the An-Nashama, they won a lot of plaudits for their display.

Flight delays due to extensive rain in Jordan notwithstanding, the Indian football team management went ahead with its friendly against the fiery hosts in their own backyard, with Stephen Constantine looking determined to make full use of the scarce opportunities that come his way to rally his side before the AFC Asian Cup 2019 begins in January next year.

And boy, how well did that turn out! A makeshift attack was led by 20-year-old Anirudh Thapa, who took a leaf of incessant pressing from Sunil Chhetri’s book and continued his personal development. Vinit Rai played as if he has played for the national team for ages and Jackichand Singh’s fleet-footing from FC Goa’s camp was resonating in Amman as well. India lost the game, but had several positives to look at.

 

 

 

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Watch: Jordan 2-1 India highlights

Make no mistake, this is very similar to the defence that is going to don the colours at the continental showpiece. Replace Salam Ranjan Singh with Sandesh Jhingan and by the look of it, India are going to go with these four. If and that’s a big IF, Anas Edathodika fails to keep up his fitness standards, Subhashish Bose could start at centre-back, with Narayan Das sweeping the left-back role.

Coming to the point, the team didn’t defend poorly. Salam Ranjan was strong. He was aerially powerful, circulated the passing like most modern centre-backs and tried long-balls like most Indian centre-backs, with some hits and misses. India now has in its armoury another old-school defender on whom it can rely, with experience as monumental as against Jordan. Anas, too, looked like the leader of old. He hasn’t, at Kerala Blasters, in some time.

This game will do a world of good for the youngsters. For instance, Thapa came out of this knowing that his manager trusts him to score as well. Salam would and ideally should be proud of his performance and so should Vinit. Germanpreet had a few lapses, but held his fort well. His assist from the left flank was a testament to the hardwork he applied on the pitch. He isn’t the most gifted midfielder in the squad, but looks a fighter, at least.

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A special mention for Muzaffarnagar lad Nishu Kumar. In an interview with Khel Now a few days ago, Kumar had said, “There should not be a huge effect from his (Sunil Chhetri’s) absence.” Did he mean it? The lad, who has an almost discomforting gait as he runs across the pitch, marked his national team debut with a goal. Jerry Lalrinzuala, a left-back with more experience than Kumar, started as a left winger against Jordan, but his muscle memory and defensive instinct made him pass the ball back more than forward.

Nishu, meanwhile, made runs into the box, pressed in sync with Thapa and played well down the right wing. As Thapa hooked the only defender in the box with himself, Nishu got a lot of space to slot his shot and he did it. It would do a world of good to another youngster, who may have been in the grey zone for the UAE flight, but looks to be over-the-line now.

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Like it or not, this is how the national team is going to play in January. Maintain a shape while defending, hit the ball long (preferably Gurpreet, who more often than not finds a target) and expect Sunil Chhetri or Jeje Lalpekhlua to find the back of the net with the scarce chances that they’re afforded. Rai will certainly play a role later in the game, given his passing ability. India has not had a midfield revolver as good as him in the last five years.

Thus, there were a lot of positives amidst a slippery pitch, injury to a talisman, delayed flights, untraceable luggage and more unforeseeable issues. But, India moved forward and played a game and it benefitted the Blue Tigers.