Mahesh Naorem and Anirudh Thapa may start in second game of Asian Cup After according Uzbekistan the respect due to a team ranked 34 places above India and stressing on the importance of being compact, Igor Stimac spoke of the need to take the game to the opponents.
“We need to have a clear idea of how to reach the final third and be effective there,” the India head coach said at Wednesday’s press conference. India play Uzbekistan on Thursday.
So, changes in the line-up that started in the 0-2 loss to Australia are likely. Partly they will be because unused to the intensity of Saturday’s opening game, players may not have recovered. And partly because Stimac said he is looking at “attacking” players.
Apart from saying that Sahal Abdul Samad isn’t ready and Ishan Pandita is unlikely to start given his lack of minutes, Stimac didn’t speak about the starting 11. But a team official said there could be changes in defence and midfield.
Akash Mishra is likely to start as left full back instead of Subhasish Bose as India will look to use his speed, said the official. Either of Anirudh Thapa or Brandon Fernandes will play behind Sunil Chhetri with Lalengmawia Ralte (Apuiah) dropping back to partner Suresh Wangjam as defensive midfielders. Stimac is hoping for a solid shift from Thapa and Fernandes through the game, said the official requesting anonymity as he is not authorised to talk to the media.
Deepak Tangri not starting after an excellent debut could raise questions. The Mohun Bagan Super Giant midfielder won seven duels, made six interceptions, 13 ball recoveries and had an 82% passing accuracy against Australia, who at 25 are the highest ranked team in group B (at 102, India are the lowest). But Tangri has not recovered fully from Saturday’s game, said the official.
Lallianzuala Chhangte too may not start for the same reason. “He has been pushing himself through the past year. He was good against Australia but may start on the bench because a player who is more fresh could be preferred,” said the official.
The left midfielder’s slot is likely to go to Mahesh Naorem who has been in form since his international debut in March 2023. Naorem has two goals and two assists for East Bengal in 10 games of the 2023-24 Indian Super League (ISL). In 16 games for India, the player from Manipur has three goals and one assist, as per Transfermarkt. Naorem has scored against Iraq and Malaysia and had a goal and an assist against Nepal in the 2023 SAFF Championship.(HT)