Nehru Cup Opener: Rating the Indian Players

The 75th Nehru Cup, India’s only chance at international glory in football it seems, got off to a cracking start for the Indians yesterday. The Indian team pulled of yet another memorable upset victory against a far superior opponent both in terms of rankings as well as footballing pedigree. The 2-1 scoreline in the end flattered to deceive what kind of performance that was dished out by the boys in blue. Koevermans’ boys tried to play a passing game but weren’t particularly effective at that. If I put it kindly, they were quite clueless during early part of the contest, the only part where footballing prowess could be judged. The energy was there but the execution was lacking.

It was quite a putrid display of football in the end, owing mainly to the water-logged pitch. I just couldn’t recount an international match that was played in much worse conditions. Though the efforts of the Indian players should be lauded regarding how they applied themselves on the rain-soaked turf at the Nehru stadium, it left a lot to be desired.

India tried to play a 4-2-3-1 formation with heavy doses of passing

GK-Subrata Paul 8.5/10

Another superlative performance from probably the most reliable Indian player on the field. Subrata was decisive in his command of the box, choosing the right moments to come and clear the aerial threats, charging out at opportune moments to smother any Syrian threat and agile as ever with his reflexes. He kept the Indian side in the game and came to the rescue time and again for his frail backline. Subrata will be called into duty many more times and be at his best if India have any hopes of silverware.

RB-Nirmal Chhetri 5.5/10

Nothing much to write about in terms of the new Green and Maroon recruit. The flanks weren’t in much use due to the flooded pitch conditions. He was part of a backline that just couldn’t deal with the crosses and lobs into the box time and again. Though conceding only one goal at the end of the effort gets him a passing grade.

CB – Raju Gaekwad 3/10, Gourmangi – 5/10

I was quite looking forward to seeing Gaekwad and had high expectations of him. Even considering all the difficulties one can have with the pitch, he looked to be wet behind his ears. It was as if he was perpetually daydreaming. Raju was found wanting a number of times before the rain interruption and the story might have been different if the Syrians had a dry ground to play.

Gourmangi didn’t command the back 4 as well as we expect him to. Being the senior guy at the back, a lot of responsibility falls on him. Another disappointing performance from the defensive stalwart. Only the inept finishing and the superb Subrata Paul between the sticks saved their blushes.

LB-Syed Rahim Nabi 7/10

Nabi by far looked the most comfortable among the players at the back, giving sufficient cover both at the flank as well as in the middle when called upon to do so. Nabi gallantly galloped down the flank, providing Clifford Miranda an option numerous times on the overlap as well as coming inside and playing long diagonals when need be.

RM-Sanju Pradhan 6.5/10

In his first start in the international level, Sanju Pradhan along with Miranda on the opposite flank provided India with the main attacking threat early on in the game. A bundle of energy on the right, he provides Indian fans something to look forward to in the future. He still has to polish on the trick of getting enough space to put in a decisive final ball at this level.

LM-Clifford Miranda 7/10

Miranda put in a perfect ball for Chhetri to head in India’s first goal of the night

Miranda, along with Nabi on the left, provided excellent service. Both attacked as well as defended the flank with great enthusiasm. Miranda cleared a ball off the line early in the match when Syria were certainly in the ascendancy. It might have been a different story altogether but for his timely clearence. Miranda’s cross for the skipper for the first goal are things forwards dream about. The first goal was served on a platter for Chhetri and the new Sporting Lisbon forward gobbled it up with preciseness.

CMs-Mehtab Hossain-5/10,Lenny Rodriguez-7/10

Mehtab looked lost in the game. He was a ghost of what he usually is for his club side. A number of robust yet wayward tackles was the order of the day for him. Mehtab Hossain has to be on his game if he is to cement a place at the heart of the midfield and in doing so would provide India excellent chances of ending up as champions and hence moving up the ladder in International rankings.

Lenny had a far more composed outing at the heart of the engine room and looked far more decisive than his senior partner. The pitch didn’t let us see more of what he could do. He put in a great effort to cover for the frailties at the back but looked a little hurried in going forward. Yet, he found Pereira with the ball that got India the second goal. Indian football fans will have a keen eye on his progression in the future.

CAM-Francis Fernandes 7/10

Another energetic performance from yet another young guard. He did well to press the ball in different parts of the pitch and popped up here and there trying to be the bridge between Sunil Chhetri and the rest. Made a nuisance of himself in a good way. Lacked finesse but that should come with experience and probably better playing conditions. Promising and will look forward to seeing him around in the years to come as well.

FWD-Sunil Chhetri 9/10

Sunil Chhetri blasts wide from a chance on the turn

The Mohun Bagan faithful must be wondering if this was the same man that turned out for them last season. Bagging a solitary goal last season in the I-League, Chhetri went off to Portugal.

On this day however, it was the Chhetri that would have justified the fee of around 92lakhs that the Green and Maroon paid last season. It wasn’t the smoothest of starts for him, missing a half-chance on the turn and then failing to spot an open Cliffor Miranda while having his back to the goal. After those couple of blemishes, Chhetri lead the side from the front and worked his socks off for the team. His reward was the opening goal. He constantly worked different channels and was a real menace, even out-jumping the physically superior Syrian defenders. The Syrian defense never seemed to come to terms with his movement and Sunil had a field day even in the wet.

Substitutes-Anthony Pereira 7/10

Anthony Pereira’s only noteworthy contribution turned out to be the real highlight of the game. His goal turned out to be the difference in the end and what a goal it was. A stunner from the right side of the box that left the Syrian goalkeeper Taha Mosa without a prayer.

Sterner tests lay ahead for India especially from Cameroon. Till then.