2025 - Best team in South Asia 2030 - Best team in SA and SEA 2035 - Best team in SA, SEA, CA 2050 - Best team in Asia
By best i mean winning 3-0 consistently
Clubs
Aim to defeat South Asian and South east Asian clubs 3-0 consistently by 2030 in AFC Cup Aim to reach final four or win AFC cup consistently. Need to play more games just look at cricket we play 10-15 tests, 25-30 ODI and 25-30 T20s (including ipl)
With 20 league games, handful of International games and a 6 month off season status quo will remain.
My god I expected 3-0 loss when i saw the centre backs but dint expect to lose 6-0 with so many comical errors.
Stimac could have avoided a bigger loss brining in sana atleast but Instead sticks to them and loses 6-0 and close to conceding more.
What was more painful is to watch 31 year old Brazilian outrun 19 Mishra constantly for 70 mins.
Yes UAE is a better team but 6-0 is too much and could have been avoided with better lineup and tactics. Stimac needs to beat Afghanistan and Bangladesh otherwise he’s done for me.
Also for christ sake never call back Adil khan to NT. Hes just done and good luck to FCG for having this lord for upcoming ACL campaign.
Stimac didnt shy away from Experimentation. In past he has repeatedly started with a compact Defense. This time in 1st half he tried to expand the formation. Our players had lot of space to build moves from the back but they failed to deliver due to lack of experience and poor skill set
Players failed miserably. They played horrible in 2nd half with compact formation also.
Coach had no Plan B
Fitness and Physicality are two different things. Our team failed in Physicality.
In past I have said that we should stop this glory hunting about long ball, passing game. First learn how to get 0-0 or 1-1 against strong teams. If it is boring or physical or long ball, then be it. Only when we master defensive intense physical football, we will have confidence to go on next stage of passing the ball and winning against strong teams.
Okay, let me jot down my thoughts - During Bob Houghton's era our frustration was he doesnt rotate his side. He preferred a particular group. Even I was frustrated to see NP Pradeep selected over Mehtab and Rendey over Alvito. However few real good things happen during his tenure. We qualified for AFC after a gap of 27 years (that time I was not 27). Arrows project started. Jeje, Lalrindika, Shilton Da Shilva shown real class in I League. They beat MB by 4 or 5 goals if I am not wrong. After watching this game hope we would appreciate how difficult it was to have decent result against mighty Australia and Korea. India started winning apart from SAFF. Nehru Cup, AFC Challenger. However fans were not happy. He stuck to a traditional 4-4-2 with fundamentals right. A tall and fit GK, two tall CB, hardworking CMs, two wingers who could send crosses early. Two strikers who can attack and score with a single chance. Bhaichung and young Sunil was his bonus. I can remember a particular incident. Nyamuddin was sacked to make way for Bob and he was not happy. He was attacking Bob and Bhaichung now and then. He took the job of Bangladesh NT coach. In the Nehru cup he openly threw challenge to Bob. B'desh played a typical park the bass football, however Bhaichung with an individual brilliance scored out of nowhere which is missing now a days. IMV, Bhaichung scored in many mundane matches with their individual brilliance. Last year when I saw a helpless Sunil in front of Jamal Bhuian and Co, I understood he is good may be the best in terms of stat but still not in the same league of Bhaichung let alone IMV. People often forget immediately after AFC Cup, he handed debut to Jeje, Dika, Raju Gawkwade etc to AFC Challengers cup qualifying. Then he departed and everybody was happy. Colaco, Savio Medeira's tenure remained insignificant apart from a draw against UAE in a slushy pitch at Delhi. Koevermance came with lot of promises, with lot of pedigree. But again India did not do anything well under his tenure. Stefen came once again. He already knew India. He departed after a 0-7 loss against Japan in his 1st tenure. He gave few things, LG Cup win, good football (yes good football, we used to have cosco ball of Rs. 300 before his 1st tenure). He selected his squads with caution and calculations. He too depended on 4-4-2 and found his perfect wingers in terms of Udanta and Ashique. Thapa and Borges anchored mostly. Sunil and Jeje did their job. We got good results and qualified in AFC Cup (previously few fans complained about back door etc, but this time we qualified). Again we were not happy. He too mostly depended on a set of players. However set size was little larger than Bob's set.
Now Igor. Again a high profile coach like Koevarmance. May be a bit similar. He was in the defense of mighty Dutch and Igor was part of mighty Croats. If I try to get inside his head, he is trying to see all the players thats for sure. No body can complain that anyone is left out (Okay, Arindam. I agree for arguments sake). I was happy to see India's first half against Oman in WCQ. We could have won the game (Udanta and Ashique missed so many plumb opportunities in AFC and WCQ, if any of those went inside history could have been different). After that Oman matches nothing mention worthy even if I consider Qatar match. But what is a structure without good foundation? He needs to find his core right. He needs to understand that we do not have even quality players to change the squad so frequently. At any day Vikrampratap is a better player than Pandiata. Have you seen him running today? His hand positions are not even athletic. Reynier's is too soft as pointed out by Rony. We need Brandon and Sahal back, they have quality. Guys do you remember what Freddie Lungburg said during 1st ISL when all like Garcia, Del Piero praising Indian football? He said Indians are atleast 3 to 4 touches behind. What does that mean? We will be beaten by time and space even we have a very skillful one. Thats why Renedy was picked over Alvito, Stefen Dias was picked over Tulunga. Simply dribbling time of Indians are too much for International football. We still dont get our basics right. So we need someone who can send balls early. So what I am trying to say is fancy formation may work out with 5 foreigners (in walking pace of ISL) but Indians will be good to play 4-4-2 or 4-5-1. Igor needs to identify this as early as possible. We have 18 - 19 good players. Select a playing eleven and get the combination right. I am not saying this after this defeat. Follow may earlier posts, I have been vocal about having a good combination. Once the core team gets good result introduce one or two new players who are doing good in domestic football at a time. Do not change entirely. If we really need to experiment, have it against a weaker opponent. Humiliation and embarrassment are regular companion of Indian football fans, dont add salt Igor. Someone from AIFF needs to send a signal that Indian now desires to be proud. So much money, so much coverage this generation is having. They need to deliver. Experiment is merely an excuse.
Comments
NT
2025 - Best team in South Asia
2030 - Best team in SA and SEA
2035 - Best team in SA, SEA, CA
2050 - Best team in Asia
By best i mean winning 3-0 consistently
Clubs
Aim to defeat South Asian and South east Asian clubs 3-0 consistently by 2030 in AFC Cup
Aim to reach final four or win AFC cup consistently.
Need to play more games
just look at cricket
we play 10-15 tests, 25-30 ODI and 25-30 T20s (including ipl)
With 20 league games, handful of International games and a 6 month off season status quo will remain.
April to May 2021
Indian Prenmier League
June to July 2021
World Test Championship (June)
India vs Sri Lanka (3 ODIs, 5 T20Is)
Asia Cup
July 2021
India vs Zimbabwe (3 ODIs)
July to September 2021
India vs England (5 Tests)
October 2021
India vs South Africa (3 ODIs, 5 T20Is)
October to November 2021
ICC T20 World Cup
November to December 2021
India vs New Zealand (2 Tests, 3 T20Is)
India vs South Africa (3 Tests, 3 T20Is)
Indian Cricket Team Schedule for 2022
January to March 2022
India vs West Indies (3 ODIs, 3 T20Is)
India vs Sri Lanka (3 Tests, 3 T20Is)
April to May 2022
Indian Premier League 2022
June 2022
NO SERIES SCHEDULED
July to August 2022
India vs England (3 ODIs, 3 T20Is)
India vs West Indies (3 ODIs, 3 T20Is)
September 2022
Asia Cup (Venue Undecided)
October to November 2022
ICC World T20 in Australia
November to December 2022
India vs Bangladesh (2 Tests, 3 T20Is)
India vs Sri Lanka (5 ODIs)
Indian Cricket Team Schedule for 2023
January 2023
India vs New Zealand (3 ODIs, 3 T20Is)
February to March 2023
India vs Australia (4 Tests, 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is)
What was more painful is to watch 31 year old Brazilian outrun 19 Mishra constantly for 70 mins.
Also for christ sake never call back Adil khan to NT. Hes just done and good luck to FCG for having this lord for upcoming ACL campaign.
I wonder what our players do during this lul
12 matches --- 1 won ----5 Draw -- 6 lost
Scored 11 goals & conceded 25 goals..
During Bob Houghton's era our frustration was he doesnt rotate his side. He preferred a particular group. Even I was frustrated to see NP Pradeep selected over Mehtab and Rendey over Alvito. However few real good things happen during his tenure. We qualified for AFC after a gap of 27 years (that time I was not 27). Arrows project started. Jeje, Lalrindika, Shilton Da Shilva shown real class in I League. They beat MB by 4 or 5 goals if I am not wrong. After watching this game hope we would appreciate how difficult it was to have decent result against mighty Australia and Korea. India started winning apart from SAFF. Nehru Cup, AFC Challenger. However fans were not happy. He stuck to a traditional 4-4-2 with fundamentals right. A tall and fit GK, two tall CB, hardworking CMs, two wingers who could send crosses early. Two strikers who can attack and score with a single chance. Bhaichung and young Sunil was his bonus.
I can remember a particular incident. Nyamuddin was sacked to make way for Bob and he was not happy. He was attacking Bob and Bhaichung now and then. He took the job of Bangladesh NT coach. In the Nehru cup he openly threw challenge to Bob. B'desh played a typical park the bass football, however Bhaichung with an individual brilliance scored out of nowhere which is missing now a days. IMV, Bhaichung scored in many mundane matches with their individual brilliance. Last year when I saw a helpless Sunil in front of Jamal Bhuian and Co, I understood he is good may be the best in terms of stat but still not in the same league of Bhaichung let alone IMV.
People often forget immediately after AFC Cup, he handed debut to Jeje, Dika, Raju Gawkwade etc to AFC Challengers cup qualifying. Then he departed and everybody was happy.
Colaco, Savio Medeira's tenure remained insignificant apart from a draw against UAE in a slushy pitch at Delhi.
Koevermance came with lot of promises, with lot of pedigree. But again India did not do anything well under his tenure.
Stefen came once again. He already knew India. He departed after a 0-7 loss against Japan in his 1st tenure. He gave few things, LG Cup win, good football (yes good football, we used to have cosco ball of Rs. 300 before his 1st tenure).
He selected his squads with caution and calculations. He too depended on 4-4-2 and found his perfect wingers in terms of Udanta and Ashique. Thapa and Borges anchored mostly. Sunil and Jeje did their job. We got good results and qualified in AFC Cup (previously few fans complained about back door etc, but this time we qualified). Again we were not happy. He too mostly depended on a set of players. However set size was little larger than Bob's set.
Now Igor. Again a high profile coach like Koevarmance. May be a bit similar. He was in the defense of mighty Dutch and Igor was part of mighty Croats. If I try to get inside his head, he is trying to see all the players thats for sure. No body can complain that anyone is left out (Okay, Arindam. I agree for arguments sake). I was happy to see India's first half against Oman in WCQ. We could have won the game (Udanta and Ashique missed so many plumb opportunities in AFC and WCQ, if any of those went inside history could have been different). After that Oman matches nothing mention worthy even if I consider Qatar match.
But what is a structure without good foundation? He needs to find his core right. He needs to understand that we do not have even quality players to change the squad so frequently. At any day Vikrampratap is a better player than Pandiata. Have you seen him running today? His hand positions are not even athletic. Reynier's is too soft as pointed out by Rony. We need Brandon and Sahal back, they have quality.
Guys do you remember what Freddie Lungburg said during 1st ISL when all like Garcia, Del Piero praising Indian football? He said Indians are atleast 3 to 4 touches behind. What does that mean? We will be beaten by time and space even we have a very skillful one. Thats why Renedy was picked over Alvito, Stefen Dias was picked over Tulunga. Simply dribbling time of Indians are too much for International football. We still dont get our basics right. So we need someone who can send balls early.
So what I am trying to say is fancy formation may work out with 5 foreigners (in walking pace of ISL) but Indians will be good to play 4-4-2 or 4-5-1. Igor needs to identify this as early as possible. We have 18 - 19 good players. Select a playing eleven and get the combination right. I am not saying this after this defeat. Follow may earlier posts, I have been vocal about having a good combination. Once the core team gets good result introduce one or two new players who are doing good in domestic football at a time. Do not change entirely. If we really need to experiment, have it against a weaker opponent. Humiliation and embarrassment are regular companion of Indian football fans, dont add salt Igor.
Someone from AIFF needs to send a signal that Indian now desires to be proud. So much money, so much coverage this generation is having. They need to deliver. Experiment is merely an excuse.