Coach Carvalho happy with early China match

Coach Joaquim Carvalho felt it was better India play China first. “It’s much easier to face a team like China earlier than later, because as the tournament progresses, they will get into the groove and will be harder to beat.”

Team India’s fulcrum is its creative midfield, manned by captain Prabodh Tirkey. The 30-year-old, in the company of Bimal Lakra, Gurbaz Singh and Sardara Singh, was a roving menace in the Champions Challengers in Boom.

If Lakra hogged the limelight with his surgical passes and deft touches, Sardara Singh’s ability to pick gaps at will deserved equal applause. With the 2003 Asia Cup hero Ignace Tirkey making his international comeback, the midfield looks calm and set.

Though inconsistent, the frontline trio of Rajpal Singh, Prabhjot Singh and Roshan Minz can be exceptional on their days, and have been the architect of many a win.

The solidity of the defence accrues from the experience and expertise of former captain Dilip Tirkey and William Xalco. Full back V Raghunath’s inclusion might bolster the deep defence, and surprise inclusion Jaswinder Singh might get a call if Carvalho decides to go with a forward less.

Considering the dismal show of Adrian D’Souza, Baljit Singh will guard the Indian goalmouth. Topping India’s concern-list is their distressing penalty corner conversion rate. With drag-flicker Sandeep Singh out injured, 21-year-old V Raghunath will have to take over.

Yet another hitch is India’s vulnerability in conceding late goals. “We are working out different strategies to ensure that no late goals are scored,” said Prabodh Tirkey.

On the sidelines, the Chinese team will be refurbishing the memories of their 2006 Asian Games win over India.

Asia Cup fixtures

AugUST 31: Malaysia v Singapore; Bangladesh v Thailand; South Korea v Sri Lanka, Pakistan v Hong Kong, India v China (7 pm)

SePTember 1: Malaysia v Hong Kong; Japan v Pakistan; China v Bangladesh, India v Sri Lanka.

SePTember 3: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, China v Thailand, Japan v Hong Kong, Pakistan v Singapore, India v Korea

SePTember 4: Hong Kong v Singapore, India v Bangladesh, Japan v Malaysia

SePTember 5: Thailand v Sri Lanka, Korea v China, Pak v Malaysia

SePTember 6: Japan v Singapore, China v Sri Lanka, Korea v Bangladesh, India v Thailand.

SePTember 8: Semi-finals

September 9: Final