Amid the pandemic, where footballing activities in numerous countries haven’t kicked off as yet, the Indian Men’s National Team, armed to teeth by young blood, is all set for the forthcoming back-to-back International Friendlies against Oman and UAE.
The average age of the National squad under Head Coach Igor Stimac is currently just over 24 (below 25). 13 of them are below 25, including two players who are barely 19.
Akash Mishra, barely 19, quips: “It’s a terrific challenge for us. But there’s no reason that we can’t rise to the occasion.”
Jeakson Singh, another 19-year-old said, “Since the U-17 World Cup there have been ups and downs. This is a unique opportunity for me. I can’t let it slip.”
“They are good boys who are extremely talented. They are boys who can play and run without fear and pass with precision. My job is to guide them,” Stimac avers said.
In the Indian camp, the training has gained intensity and speed. Suresh Singh is 20, Yasir Mohammad, Liston Colaco, Ishan Pandita, and Dheeraj Singh are all 22. And then suddenly you discover that a certain Anirudh Thapa and Lallianzuala Chhangte, both at 23, are currently veterans in the team. But even as the young guns with their dreamy eyes and twinkling feet get ready to take on the world, the Blue Tigers will be missing talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri owing to medical reasons.
“These are practice matches which will help us to be better. We have come together after such a long time. We need to grab this opportunity. It’s extremely difficult to plan such international matches during the pandemic as it’s so difficult to get out of the country. We are extremely grateful to the AIFF,” Thapa says in one breath.
“We have played against them so often and respect them as a team, as much as I feel they respect us. We have important games coming up in June and the timing of these Friendlies just couldn’t get better,” he adds.
‘Ironman’ Sandesh Jhingan, back in the squad after an injury lay-off, and stronger than ever argues that “Oman and UAE are not way ahead.”
“Everyone will agree that we need to play tough opponents. I can proudly say that we are almost neck-to-neck with them. The growth of Indian Football has been immense and it’s not that Oman and UAE are way ahead of us. In the past few games, they did get the better of us but the matches were extremely close,” he explains.
The match against Oman at the Maktoum Bin Rashid Stadium, Dubai will be played behind closed doors, the kick-off of which is at IST 7.15 pm (UAE time: 5.45 pm).