The Key Individual Battles in the India - Palestine friendly

We are only two days away from the much awaited international friendly between India and Palestine at Kochi’s Nehru Stadium and Sportskeeda continues the build-up by taking a look at the individual battles that could decide the contest.

Sunil Chhetri – Abdelatif Bahdari

Bahdari is Palestine’s Saudi Arabia-based center back who is making his return to the national team after almost 18 months. The 6 feet 2 inches tall defender will be up against India’s only foreign-based player and star striker. Skipper Sunil may not be the tallest but still has an incredible leap and has already troubled some of the best defenders in the continent in his career. Bahdari will have to produce a top game and will be well aware that if Sunil is stopped, India would struggle to score.

Sunil is likely to play as the lone striker in a 4-4-1-1 system and thus his tussle with Bahdari could prove to be decisive . The Sporting Lisbon ‘B’ player has scored against top Asian teams like Bahrain and South Korea and scoring against a team that has a defender playing in the Saudi Arabian league will give him immense satisfaction.

Nirmal Chettri/Syed Rahim Nabi – Imad Zatara

File Photo

Versatile winger Zatara is another of Palestine’s foreign-based players and one of their most creative attackers. The Swedish-born player can operate on both flanks so it remains to be seen which Indian fullback he comes against. If he starts on the right, Zatara will face India’s Mr.Versatile, Nabi, and that could be the most intriguing individual battle in this game. Zatara has the tricks and intelligence to go past players but in Nabi, he faces a tough competitor. The 2012 AIFF Player of the Year held his own even against a player like Arjen Robben when India faced Bayern Munich last year, so Zatara can expect a difficult challenge.

Zatara could fine more joy on the other flank especially because he is right footed and would like to come inside so young Nirmal Chettri will have to produce one of his best displays to stop the Palestine man. However with Palestine lacking an experienced left back, coach Jamal Mahmoud could be tempted to start with a less attack-minded player on the left wing of the 4-2-3-1.

Mehtab Hossain/Lenny Rodrigues – Khader Yousef

India’s number 6 – Lenny Rodrigues

Midfield duels tend to decide most matches in modern day football and this game too could be highly influenced by the performances of the midfielders. In terms of international experience, Palestine seems to have the edge as first-choice central medios Khader Yousef and Ma’aly Kaware have 61 caps between them while the four Indian central midfielders only have a combined total of 34 appearances. However 27-year-old Mehtab Hossain has played in plenty of high-pressure matches at club level and thus his battle with Palestine’s Yousef will be intense.

Both players are tenacious and hard working and vital to their team’s playing style. But it remains to be seen whether Wim Koevermans asks the younger Lenny Rodrigues to directly go up against Yousef. Lenny has had a much better season at club level and also passes the ball better. The Churchill Brothers medio has been tipped to fill the shoes of the retired Climax Lawrence and he could enhance his reputation with a good showing in this game. Whether it is Lenny or Mehtab, one thing is for sure, the Indian midfield cannot allow Yousef to dictate the play.

Gouramangi Singh – Eyad Abugharqud

Abugharqud is still relatively new to the international scene but seems to have won the confidence of coach Mahmoud with his impressive displays in the 2012 West Asian Championship. Although Ashraf Nu’man remains Palestine’s biggest goal threat, the 26-year-old was able to produce his best at the West Asian Championship last year when he played behind main striker Abugharqud, who famously scored the winner against Lebanon.

Gouramangi is India’s most experienced defender with 59 caps and although he has had some indifferent club form with Prayag United, the Manipuri will be given the responsibility of looking after Palestine’s lone striker, which is likely to be Abugharqud. The Palestine forward is quick but is not comfortable playing with his back to goal so Gouramangi will have to deny Abugharqud space and not allow him to get behind the back four. While Nu’man will have to be stopped collectively, the onus will be on Gouramangi to stop the 24-year-old Abugharqud, if the striker does get the nod upfront.