5) India need to improve their physicality and second half performances
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Make no mistake, this was a game India could have won. As a collective unit, the boys in blue were easily more technically adept than their Saudi counterparts. However, a high-tempo first half had again seen many Indian players exhausted by the end of the game which led to a drop in focus and, inevitably, conceding two goals.
India’s midfield also failed to make an impact in the second half. Most of their play were down the flanks with Boris trying his best to get past Saudi players before he was outnumbered. Any clearance India made did not see midfield players taking the initiative to carry the ball forward into the Saudi half.
Suresh was the lone warrior in midfield but Saudi Arabia easily won the ball back as India failed to string more than three passes together. With the final game against Iran, who had beaten Saudi Arabia 3-2, they will have their task cut out.
Coach Nicolai Adam will stress on their fitness and their ability to focus for 90 minutes. With a year to go before the FIFA U-17 World Cup, beefing up a few of the boys will also go a long way in winning the physical battles on the pitch.
