The players who were rested for the first game, after reaching Manama only a couple of hours prior to the match due to Visa issues, will be available for selection.
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The Indian national football team will face Belarus in the second of two international friendlies in Bahrain on Sunday. The Blue Tigers had lost the first match 2-1 against Bahrain, therefore will be looking to dish out an improved show against a higher-ranked European opposition. The players who were rested for the first game, after reaching Manama only a couple of hours prior to the match due to Visa issues, will be available for selection. Meanwhile India head coach Igor Stimac has said that “a new team” will be playing against Belarus.
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? MATCHDAY ?
The #BlueTigers ? ?? take on Belarus ?? tonight! ??
⏳ 9.30 PM IST
? Khalifa Stadium ?️#BLRIND ⚔️ #BackTheBlue ? #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/zNRT81sM4O— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 26, 2022
“A new team is coming up against Belarus — fresh energy of course with those in the middle who did not start in the first game and will now be available who will give us more stability in passing,” Stimac said.
The likes of Ruivah Hormipam and Roshan Singh had an impressive Indian Super League (ISL) season for their respective clubs, earning them their first national team call-up. Centre-back Hormipam played a pivotal role in Kerala Blasters FC’s impressive run to the ISL final while Bengaluru FC full-back Roshan won the ISL emerging player award for his brilliant performance down the flanks.
Roshan made his international debut in the previous game as a second half substitute and quickly made an impact by providing the assist for Rahul Bheke’s equaliser. The 23-year-old was impressive in the 45 minutes he played and is likely to make his first start for the national team on Sunday.
“You will see (Ruivah) Hormipam, you will see Anwar Ali, there will be Roshan (Naorem Roshan Singh) on the pitch also. This time I have more options in the midfield, with Brandon (Brandon Fernandes) and Thapa (Anirudh Thapa) joining us. Jeakson (Jeakson Singh) might also be available for a more creative game. That’s what we are looking for,” he added.
Against Bahrain, the Blue Tigers were pushed to the back foot straight from the tart and went into the break trailing 1-0. But the visitors came out with more intent in the second half and found the equaliser just before the hour-mark. But lack of concentration cost them the match with just two minutes remaining.
“The thing I’m most unhappy about is not stopping the crosses coming into the box and conceding two goals at the far post is something unacceptable.”
The Indian team will take more risks playing from the back, according to the Croatian tactician. “We will try to start building up from the back. That is something I’ve been insisting on from the beginning of our job here,” he said.
“It’s difficult to change the mentality and attitude, but it needs to be done only by trying, and friendly games are the best opportunities to do so.”
“We need to take the risk, intend to play from the back and try to find those creative players who can damage the opponent.”
Stimac wants his side to play attacking football. “We have made a good analysis of Belarus. They are one step better than Bahrain, technically and with movements,” Stimac said.
“Mostly they defend and play counter-attacking football, but that should not be the case against us because technically they’re very good, physically they’re strong. They play aggressive football, they don’t give you time and space to play possession football,” he added.
