In a surprising turn of events, the Indian football team finds itself on the back foot as they gear up to face China in the opening match of the Asian Games 2023. The squad, hastily assembled with no training sessions and minimal rest, faces an uphill battle against the formidable Chinese team in Hangzhou on Tuesday.
The Indian squad managed to finalize their roster just days before their departure to China, leaving no time for the players to come together for even a single training session. Furthermore, the unavailability of two key defenders, Konsam Chinglensana Singh and Lalchungnunga, due to visa delays adds to India’s woes. While their chef de mission, Bhupinder Singh Bajwa, assures speedy visa issuance, the duo won’t be available for the crucial match against China.
Complicating matters further, head coach Igor Stimac has decided to rest senior defender Sandesh Jhingan and star striker Sunil Chhetri for the opening match. Chhetri, in particular, has had limited training time, given his recent fatherhood responsibilities.
Stimac’s strategic decision seems to prioritize the subsequent matches against Bangladesh (September 21) and Myanmar (September 24), where India stands a better chance, considering their lack of preparation. The head coach had to resort to strategy sessions inside the aircraft and at the airport due to the time crunch.
This encounter is further daunting for India as China boasts a more robust footballing pedigree on the continental stage and enjoys the advantage of familiar terrain at the Huanglong Sports Center Stadium. For India, this match may well be their first real outdoor activity.
The last time these two nations faced off in the Asian Games was in 2002, resulting in a 0-2 loss for India. The Indian team of that era featured renowned names like Bhaichung Bhutia, Shanmugam Venkatesh, Jo Paul Ancheri, Renedy Singh, and current assistant coach Mahesh Gawli.
Stimac acknowledges the enormity of the challenge, especially given the controversy surrounding the squad selection. He highlights China’s meticulous preparations, including four tough games since March, despite some defeats, making them a formidable opponent, especially on home turf.
China is expected to favor a 4-4-2 formation, with occasional shifts to 3-4-3. Key players, including a towering striker and an experienced attacking midfielder, pose threats to India.
Stimac emphasizes the need for strategic thinking, pondering whether to allocate full energy to face China or conserve it for the subsequent matches and a potential journey to the knockout rounds. In a tournament that offers no formalities, the goal is for the Indian team to deliver their best performances.
Qualification from the group stage remains a possibility, with the top two teams from six groups advancing, along with the four highest-ranked third-placed teams.
However, India faced significant challenges even before the tournament, with 13 players initially withheld by their Indian Super League clubs, including Jhingan and first-choice goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. An initially sparse 17-member squad was later expanded to 22, including the addition of Chhetri, Chinglensana, and Lalchungnunga after intense negotiations.
In a situation where adversity abounds, India’s footballers are poised to showcase their mettle on the field, aiming to defy the odds and make a mark on the Asian Games stage.
By PTI
