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Venue: Kanchenjunga Stadium, Siliguri
Kick-off: Friday, November 15 2013, 18:00 IST
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The Indian national team returns to action for the first time since their defeat in the SAFF Championship 2013 final against Afghanistan. Also for the first time since February 2012, India will be playing two international friendlies in the same month as they will be utilising both the FIFA match dates of this month and that is exactly how head coach Wim Koevermans wants things to be. Although the match was shifted from Chennai only last week, the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri looks in good shape to host its first-ever international friendly. India have played only three friendlies under the Dutchman since his appointment in July 2012 and lost each of them. Home advantage in both of these friendlies gives Koevermans a great chance to end his duck but the first match on Friday against the Philippines is a daunting prospect as the South-East Asian nation are placed 17 spots above India in the FIFA Rankings and will be boosted by the presence of their several foreign-based players.
Besides Philippines’ superiority on paper, the other big drawback for the Indian team will be their inexperience as Koevermans decided to omit all IMG-Reliance contracted players. With nine changes from the SAFF 2013 squad, there is a new look to the India team and they especially lack experience in central defence with Gouramangi Singh being dropped for the first time since his international debut in 2007. That will be a major worry considering the quality of Philippines’ attack which includes former Chelsea youth product Phil Younghusband, who bagged a brace against India at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup. The strength for India lies in their midfield as they have plenty of options in that department with several consistent I-League performers like Lalrindika Ralte, CK Vineeth and Clifford Mirand being in the squad. But the attack remains a huge worry for Koevermans as the forwards are either out of form or haven’t been playing regularly upfront for their clubs.
Despite those concerns, a couple of things that should work in India’s favour is the fact that they are expected to get the backing of a big crowd in Siliguri while the Philippines team could be feeling the effects of a tiring journey following a trip from UAE where they were beaten 4-0. Although SAFF 2013 didn’t produce silverware, India showed great character to beat Maldives in the semi-finals despite the absence of skipper Sunil Chhetri and Koevermans would be hoping for a similar performance even if the result doesn’t go their way. It’s clear from the squad selection which includes four uncapped players that Koevermans wants to experiment in these twin friendlies. But the former Netherlands international would like nothing better than a win over a higher-ranked nation which would be a perfect celebration of his contract renewal until October 2014.
Favourites
Philippines’ rise in international football could be compared to that of Afghanistan as the Azkals have been transformed from minnows into the highest-ranked team of South-East Asia in very little time. Philippines have largely benefitted from the presence of several foreign-born players of Filipino origin while their German head coach Michael Weiss has been played a big role in getting the best out of players ever since his appointment in 2011. Unlike India, they remain in contention for a place in the 2015 Asian Cup as they qualified for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup and this match will provide them further indication of where they stand in terms of preparations for next year’s Challenge Cup in Maldives. They might have lost their last two away friendlies including the heavy loss to UAE on Saturday but the Azkals’ quality on paper and recent consistency makes them favourites for this clash.
Although the majority of their squad comprises of foreign-born players, there is no dearth of nationalistic pride in the team with many of them also well settled in the Philippines now. Hence the psychological effects of the tragedy caused by typhoon Haiyan on the squad cannot be underestimated and it could inspire the team to produce a stronger performance. It will be interesting to see whether Weiss opts to rotate his first eleven as this will be their second game in six days with a lot of travelling in between. The arrivals of German-born Filipino players Roland Mueller of Servette FC and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Stefan Schrock will add more quality to their team and also give a lift to the whole squad. Spanish-born Angel Guirado will also have a point to prove in this game as he had a spell at Salgaocar but was released abruptly without being given enough opportunities.
Philippines will be looking to exploit the weaknesses and inexperience in India’s defence and will be well aware that Koevermans’ side doesn’t come into this game with much confidence due to recent failures. But the Azkals will have to guard against complacency as they were surprisingly beaten at home by lower-ranked Chinese Taipei last month. If they want to win the Challenge Cup next year, Philippines can’t afford such slackness and coach Weiss will be reminding his players exactly that. The South-East Asian nation also has the chance to show that they can perform in a difficult environment as India will have plenty of home support. Although the Challenge Cup is still six months away, this test in India looks like an ideal dress rehearsal for the Philippines and passing it will send out a message to rest of the participants that the Azkals will be among the genuine contenders.
Form Guide
India: WDLWL
India have not only failed to win an international friendly under Koevermans but have also not won any friendly since November 2011 when they defeated another ASEAN member in Malaysia. The Dutchman has a decent record at home with two wins, one draw and a defeat in four matches.
Philippines: WLLWL
Since July 2011, Philippines have lost back-to-back matches only once and have an excellent record against South-Asian nations under Weiss with four wins and a draw in five matches. However they have lost three of their last four games with their last away victory coming over Hong Kong back in June.
Team News
India
Koevermans could hand a couple of players their full international debuts as Dempo youngster Narayan Das could start at left back while Mohun Bagan’s Aibor Khongjee is expected to partner Arnab Mondal in central defence. The midfield picks itself with veteran Clifford Miranda back in the team after missing out from the SAFF Championship due to injury. The big decision for Koevermans will be upfront as it remains to be seen whether he opts to play a lone striker like he has been doing throughout his tenure so far. There is a possibility of both Suni Chhetri and Robin Singh starting with the former in a withdrawn role.
Possible XI: Karanjit Singh; Denzil Franco, Arnab Mondal, Aibor Khongjee, Narayan Das; Francis Fernandes, Mehtab Hossain, Lenny Rodrigues, Clifford Miranda, Sunil Chhetri; Robin Singh
Philippines
The German-Filipino duo of Roland Mueller and Stefan Schrock are expected to start after missing out the UAE friendly due to their club commitments. The rest of the team should be similar to the one that started against UAE on Saturday with former Salgaocar man Angel Guirado and ex-Chelsea youth player Phil Younghusband likely to start upfront. It will be interesting to see where Schrock plays but coach Weiss will be tempted to use the German-born player in an advanced role because of India’s inexperience at the back.
Possible XI: Roland Mueller; Ray Jonsson, Rob Gier, Juan Guirado, Jeffrey Christiaens; James Younghusband, Jerry Lucena, Chris Greatwich, Stefan Schrock; Angel Guirado, Phil Younghusband
Key Men
India: Sunil Chhetri
The India captain isn’t assured of a starting place but could get the nod as he has been a regular starter for his I-League club unlike the other forwards in the squad. Despite his impressive international record, Sunil must prove himself to Koevermans again and thus must be determined to get on the scoresheet.
Philippines: Phil Younghusband
Phil Younghusband (in white)
The 26-year-old England-born striker is undoubtedly Philippines’ biggest goal threat and has happy memories of playing against India from the 2012 Challenge Cup. However the younger of the Younghusband brothers hasn’t scored since March and thus will be aiming to find the back of the net in this game.
