AFC Asian Cup: India 4 -1 Thailand, 5 takeaways from the game

#3 India needs more men in midfield

Borges could be the addition India need in midfield

Despite winning 4-1, there are many areas where India can hope to improve. Constantine's idea of using Ashique Kuruniyan as the no.9 who would drift around and hold up the ball was fairly successful as it led to the first goal. But coming into the second half, Kuruniyan never really had an impact on the game. In hopes to have the no.13 hold up the ball for India, the players kept launching the ball upfield but only to give the ball away to Thailand.

One of the main reasons why India sorted to launch the ball upfield was the lack of midfielders. The usual formation of a 4-4-2 was played but it seemed flat and very direct at times. Although many might argue that India needs to have a direct approach towards this tournament and not play 'tippy-tappy' football, it is when India play quick passes that they can prove to be a threat.

To play on the counter, it is not necessary that India needs to have a striker who holds up the ball, they can also exploit the pace of the wingers. It was this pace that served as the engine behind the second and the third goal.

Adding Borges into midfield to form a double pivot alongside Pronay Halder might be the solution to India's lack of playing more passes. This move allows Thapa to play further up the pitch where he will have lesser defensive duties and more freedom to show his immense talent and feed the likes of Udanta, Narzary and Chhetri. It also allows India to be more compact while defending which can prove successful against the likes of UAE and Bahrain.