International Friendly: India 2-2 Bangladesh - Five talking points

Sportskeeda lists the five talking points from Wednesday’s international friendly between India and Bangladesh.

Inexperience in defence exposed

Photo Credit: AIFF Media

Three of India’s back four had a combined tally of only 11 international caps prior to this game and their inexperience was badly exposed by Bangladesh. Back in November, the defence was well protected by the midfield but with Mehtab Hossain going off with an injury, the backline couldn’t cope with Bangladesh’s attacks and there were also individual errors. In the first half, Aibor Khongjee was caught on the wrong side of Mithun Chowdhury and the Mohun Bagan defender was lucky not to be sent off despite fouling as the last man. In the second half, the defence was caught napping in both goals with Arnab Mondal scoring past his own keeper to put Bangladesh in front. Hopefully the youngsters will learn from this bitter experience but can only improve if they play regularly at international level.

Skipper Sunil inspirational again

India came out Sunil Chhetri’s shadow in the SAFF 2013 semi-final against Maldives as they won despite being underdogs in the absence of their suspended captain. Sunil was dropped to the bench for the final against Afghanistan but he has bounced back strongly with four goals in three games. The Bengaluru FC skipper was inspirational in this clash as his brace saved India’s blushes against lower-ranked Bangladesh. Throughout the game, Sunil looked to be India’s best player and he even showed great work-rate when his team was chasing the equaliser in the second half. He produced two great finishes but the second one deserves more praise as it came under pressure. Overall it was a disappointing performance and result from India’s point of view but the 29-year-old Arjuna Awardee was at his very best.

Balwant didn’t get the opportunity he deserved

With a combined total of 12 goals in the I-League and Federation Cup, Balwant Singh got his maiden call-up to the national team but was denied a start. Robin Singh got the nod beside Sunil and to be fair to Wim Koevermans, the two combined well for the opening goal. But barring the assist, Robin was ineffective upfront and even wasted a couple of great opportunities. Balwant was only brought on after the hour mark and then with India conceding the second, he was switched to the left flank with Alywn George operating behind Sunil. Balwant never looked comfortable on the left flank and thus didn’t have any impact on his international debut. Despite the Churchill Brothers player’s consistency in the I-League, it looks like he still hasn’t completely won the trust of Koevermans.

Koevermans’ substitutions didn’t work

A coach often makes the difference through his substitutions but in this game, most of Koevermans’ changes actually weakened his team. Although one of the changes was forced due to Mehtab’s injury, the Dutchman surprisingly took off the experienced Clifford Miranda at halftime and that decision indicated India’s complacency as one of their best players was withdrawn despite only being 1-0 up. Clifford’s withdrawal saw Francis Fernandes operate on the left flank although he looked more comfortable while playing as the right midfielder in the first half. Clifford’s replacement Victorino held on to the ball too long at times while the introduction of Alwyn moved Balwant to an unfamiliar left wing role. Due to the changes, the team lacked balance for the majority of the second half and nearly suffered an embarrassing defeat.

Bangladesh have also closed the gap

Photo Credit: AIFF Media

India’s showing at the 2013 SAFF Championship, where they were beaten by both Nepal and Afghanistan, confirmed that they are no longer the dominant force in South Asia. Bangladesh also nearly defeated them at SAFF 2013 but India equalised late on through Sunil. That performance might have been considered a one-off as they lost their other two group games but Lodewijk de Kruif’s side showed during the 2-2 stalemate in Goa that the gap between India and Bangladesh now is minimal, perhaps even non-existent. Their Federation Cup champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi outplayed two of India’s biggest clubs in the IFA Shield back in January and on Wednesday their new-look national team nearly recorded their country’s first ever international win on Indian soil. Bangladesh looked more comfortable on possession but were possibly a little naive as they don’t regularly play at international level.