SAFF Championship 2013: India 1-0 Pakistan – Five talking points

Francis Fernandes is highly underrated

India clearly don’t have too many match winners besides Sunil Chhetri. Maybe Nabi can also be regarded as another but otherwise it’s a squad full of players who lack international experience. However, there is one player who has been fairly consistent at international level but his showings have gone unnoticed in the media and among fans as his contribution hasn’t involved goals or direct assists. That player is wide midfielder Francis Fernandes who gave another solid performance against Pakistan and was one of the few standout performers for India.

The Salgaocar man is highly versatile and made his international debut under the coaching of Savio Medeira in November 2011. The 27-year-old was also included in the squad during Koevermans’ first assignment at Nehru Cup 2012 and has kept his place in the team ever since. Francis tried to put in a cross whenever he got a chance and tracked back consistently to help out NirmalChettri at right back. Pakistan hardly had any joy from their left side and much of it was down to the work rate of Francis. He kept going till the very last minute and despite a good showing hasn’t got carried away as at a media interaction on Monday he called for focus in the remaining two group games.

Francis, though, would aim to get on the scoresheet in this tournament as the absence of the injured Clifford Miranda means that India currently don’t have a midfielder who has a decent scoring record at international level. Despite not making the headlines, Francis has established himself as an important player of the Wim Koevermans era.