@karansh I hope they don't play practice matches against 2nd or 3rd division teams in Czech Republic otherwise it is of no use. India will be playing against top teams such as Japan, South Korea, Iran etc where the standard of football is very high. If we are to play against these teams and win at least a bronze medal then India should play against a better team.
Also India U-23 will play against Pakistan U-23. Those results will show our team's preparedness for the games.
INDIA WILL NEVER WIN A BLOODY BRONZE MEDAL IN THESE ASIAN GAMES FOR FOOTBALL!!! STOP SAYING THAT THEY SHOULD!
Also @karansh Why more U19s? This is a U23 tournament so you pick the best players under-23 and some overaged players. Barely any player under-19 is good enough for this squad.
SLFC Under19 squad has many players that have been part of their MUPC team and been playing Shillong Premier League for the past 4 years...
Very surprised that people haven't noticed that they are obviously not U-19 anymore.
The best of that group are Rupert Nongram , Jacob Lalrembawia , Zondingliana and Redeem Tlang .. all of whom got some I-League minutes last season.
Good to see SLFC utilise more junior players , partly out of financial necessity last year.
The problem is , these guys are actually U21 , and the reason there is less growth potential from them.
If you followed them from India U-16 when everyone ( Colm Toal and co) thought these kids would go on to be the next batch of Jeje, Dika , etc.. you will realise that these kids have hit the same wall that all over age Indian kids hit.
As for BFC
Only Udanta is a promising "U-19" prospect... Ricardo Cordozo will probably slip to 4th choice keeper once BFC sign Gurpreet.
Not many other U19 prospects there...
As mentioned , it's a U23 tournament which will help groom players for senior team in 2-3 years , no point thinking of too many U-19's, as not much can be done to rectify the age rigging at this stage of the U23/National team
Some poor passage of play from the India team , especially in the final 3rd. Managed to build up from the back , mainly due to lack of pressure from the front from B'lore XI.
Good play on the wings by both the young Dempo lads, but little support from the centre midfielders. Ie lack of options for the wide men to pick out.
B'lore XI winger Amoes ( former BFC) caused the India right back some problems with his pace, but the lack of a proper striker for B'lore XI made the AIFF central defenders job very easy
immediate improvement , as Francis movement brought him inside the field , one good run in between the back 4 , found Siam Hanghal slip him in , but keeper was alert to the threat. Hanghal also set up opposite winger for a dangerous cross into the box. From the resulting corner , Hanghal had a shot cleared off the line , and later had 2 attempts from the edge of the box , having won the ball centrally himself.
Dika started to drop deeper to get the ball and instigate the attacks, too deep for my liking , would prefer the centre backs to build up play , and Dika try to get into the final 3rd without the ball. Dika a massive improvement compared to Dhanpal Ganeshan , problem is , off the ball Dika was poor again , and tends to ball watch / follow the ball.
Comments
- Some poor passage of play from the India team , especially in the final 3rd. Managed to build up from the back , mainly due to lack of pressure from the front from B'lore XI.
- Good play on the wings by both the young Dempo lads, but little support from the centre midfielders. Ie lack of options for the wide men to pick out.
- B'lore XI winger Amoes ( former BFC) caused the India right back some problems with his pace, but the lack of a proper striker for B'lore XI made the AIFF central defenders job very easy
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