India lost 1-0 by 136th ranked Hong Kong in the Balewadi Sports Complex through Li Haiqiang in the 78th minute.
The newly revamped ground at Pune was lush green and the atmosphere looked solid. But the Indian team were looking like an university team to say the least. India never dominated the play except for one or two patches of play where they were gifted the ball by the Hong Kong players. Overall quality of the game was preety poor from the Indian side. Hong Kong were looking more likely to score but their poor finishing let them down earlier, but the inevitable did happen on 76th minute when Li Haiqiang scored from a spectacular left footed volley which left the goalkeeper no chance at all. Indian defence looked OK this time but the left flank was left open most of the time in the second half as the Hong Kong players used that space to attack. Indian midfield was rusty except for Mehrajuddin Wadoo who was looking in good touch once again.
Who were the Culprits?
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Anthony Pereira was a super flop today who wasted some solid opportunities.
Climax Lawrence does not deserve the captains armband with this kind of performance.
Surkumar Singh is an awful passer of the ball.
Abhishek Yadav does not look fit enough to play even 45 minutes. He was not challenging for the ball at all. Most of the time he was seen standing in one place or other.
Sunil Chhetri is not shooting at all. Almost all of the time he is seen to pass the ball. Bob needs to tell him regarding about his role at the team.
Decent performers
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Gourmangi Singh and Anwar did a commendable job at the back restricting the scoreline to 1-0 only.
Subrata Paul was rock solid today. He cannot be blamed for the goal that was scored by the Hong Kong team.
Clifford Miranda had a decent game. His sudden brusts was good to watch.
Syed Rahim Nabi had a good game after being given a chance in the starting line-up. He made some solo runs but lacked support.
Conclusion
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The game played today by the Indian team was one of the worst in recent times. There hardly could be a bad advertisement for Indian football.
The long ball tactics was not good enough against the speedy Hong Kong team. The midfield is not being utilized at all. The long ball tactics should be scrapped all together.
Indian players need to challenge the ball. It seems like the Indian players does not want the ball. They lack the hunger.
The fitness level of the players except for few is questionable.
India are surely missing the likes of Baichung Bhutia, Steven Dias and Renedy Singh who are all injured. After loosing to a 136th ranked nation, the moral of the players will be down. Some serious reconstruction needs to be done else India shall be ready to face the hammer against the likes of South Korea, Australia and Bahrain.
India next faces Vietnam on 8th of this month at the same venue.
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