Indian lads hold aces

BANGALORE, Aug 22: With the forward-line combining well at crucial junctures, hosts India hold all the aces going into the crucial final ...

BANGALORE, Aug 22: With the forward-line combining well at crucial junctures, hosts India hold all the aces going into the crucial final phase of the Group VI Qualifying Round for the 31st Asian Youth Football Championship.

Having amassed six points from their two victorious outings, India take on sub-continental rivals Pakistan, who also have won both the matches on Sunday. Pakistan have earned both their wins against teams considered as whipping boys even before the start of the tournament 8212; a theory that was maintained as the tournament progressed, while India have crossed the first and probably the only major hurdle 8212; Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan too have six points, but their chances depend heavily on both India and Pakistan losing at least one match.

The India-Pakistan encounter, should be a thrilling contest with football not being the necessary reason. With India holding a definite advantage in the tactical and technical sense, the traditional arch-rival status the two share in all walks of lifewill what keep the clash alive.

The 3-0 drubbing India handed out to a much stronger physically Kyrgyzstan stood evident for the fact that Indian forwards Nitin Pradhan and skipper Shaik Sanjib with support from medios Murali, James Singh and Rocky Barreto can hold together under pressure. Also the manner in which Cowan Lawrence, Mahesh Gowali and Prabhjot Singh held fort in the Indian defence keeping a tight leash on the marauding Kyrgyz forwards, especially the skillful captain Sergey Ivanov, added strength to the side8217;s campaign.

Pakistan too have individual talents. Skipper Zulfikar Ali is definitely a gifted forward. Zahid Niyaz, Burhan Ali and Khuda Bux have shown glimpses of good work, but only sporadically.

Their defence has just not been tested by the Maldives and Bhutan, and whether it can withstand the strain of taking on the Indian attack has to be waited and seen.

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Indian coach Mohammed Habeeb did not want his wards to take things lightly. 8220;Pakistan has been our traditional rivals.And therefore the tedium will be definitely high. I have told the boys to keep the pressure up right from the start. Hopefully we should take an early lead,8221; Habeeb said.

But the across-the-border rivals would clash after Maldives and Bhutan match wits to avoid getting the wooden spoon. Maldives having lost all their three matches so far.Bhutan have lost both their outings 8212; 0-5 to Kyrgyztsan and 0-3 to Pakistan and with the disadvantage of playing India in the tournament8217;s last match, the side from the hill kingdom would attemp at least a point.