AFC Asian Cup 2023: Who are India's game-changing players and what can we expect from them?

What can an Indian football fan expect from the 2023 AFC Asian Cup? India are the lowest-ranked side in a tough Group B, which includes Syria (FIFA ranking: 91), Australia (FIFA ranking: 25) and Uzbekistan (FIFA ranking: 68). As per the tournament format, the top two teams from each group and four best-ranked third-placed teams will reach the Round of 16. The 102nd India have never made it past the group stage in the Asian Cup. The best finish of runners-up in 1964 came in a round-robin tournament which only had four teams. For them to qualify for the Round of 16, the best chance realistically speaking is finishing third in the group but the task appears daunting.

But you can’t go to a tournament with that mindset. Can you? Under coach Igor Stimac, who won bronze in the 1998 World Cup with Croatia, India have had a shift in thinking process and playing style. From employing long ball tactics to relying on quick passes and counter-attacks, India are a transformed unit. Off the pitch, there’s bonding and cohesiveness. Longball to Igorball: How Stimac transformed Indian football team’s playstyle It might be harsh, but it’s like they take more pride in playing for the Indian shirt than ever before. It’s these qualities that allowed Sunil Chhetri and Co to attain a sub-100 FIFA ranking in 2023 after a gap of five years and beat two West Asian sides (Lebanon and Kuwait) for the first time in history, or clinch their first away win in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers , against Kuwait, in 22 years. But Australia and Uzbekistan are going to be a different beast. Syria as well. All these three teams share a common profile, which is that they are technically and physically stronger and rely on pace to play their football. In such scenarios, India’s tactics are going to be simple. They are not going have a lot of the ball and will be forced to play on the counter-attack. They will need to be accurate with set-pieces which is why former Manchester City midfielder Trevor Sinclair is training with them. The runs behind the defensive line have to be immaculate and while defending, the gaps have to be cut down and corners have to be cleared. To put it in a cliched way, India will have to attack and defend as a team. But when you are playing off the ball most of the time, Individual brilliance often becomes the source of inspiration and change maker. Against stronger oppositions, India will have to rely on some individual magic to upset the apple cart. In that respect, we take a look at players who can play defining roles and yes, we don’t have Chhetri in the list because for India to progress to the Round of 16, there has to be more than Chhetri. Manvir Singh Instead of Chhetri, Manvir is going to be India’s main target man. The Mohun Bagan Super Giant player’s physicality, speed and height give him the added advantage that India will need to unlock the stubborn defences at the Asian Cup. Against Kuwait, it was his left footer that clinched a historic win and in Asian Cup as well, India will rely on him to not only make those clever runs behind the defences, but also stand all during set-pieces. Chhetri may find himself a bit isolated in the Asian Cup and at times wanting given the pace and physicality of the game and opposition, however, over the years he has shown that there’s no replacement for his calmness and astuteness. Manvir will have to show that maturity to come good for India at Asia’s biggest stage.

Lallianzuala Chhangte Stimac’s style of play has seen Indian wingers staying extremely busy, especially Chhangte. For someone who also holds the best fitness credentials in the team, Asian Cup games are going to be a big challenge as he will be required to cover a good distance every game, transversing not only every inch of the grass but also contributing in defence and offence. His ability to accelerate can prove to be an advantage for India. The Mizo midfielder has turned out to be a reliable goalscorer in the last two years and India will be hoping for a few more from him in Qatar.

Suresh Singh Wangjam Lalengmawia ‘Apuia’ Ralte has to be the engine room of the midfield. The Mumbai City FC midfielder impressed in the 3-0 defeat to Qatar in November and will be required to break the attacking play and recycle the ball from back, while he has proved himself, Bengaluru FC’s Suresh, whose football career peaked three years back and has plateaued since, will be in focus for his support role. If not for the shoulder injury, Jeakson would have been Apuia’s partner as a deep pivot, but that duty will likely now fall on Suresh. Under pressure from physically stronger and faster players, the accuracy of his passes and decision-making could prove to be a game-changer.

Rahul Bheke Since Anwar Ali got injured and ruled out, Rahul Bheke has been Stimac’s trusted lieutenant in the centre-back pairing besides Sandesh Jhingan. The FC Goa player with his physicality, defensive solidity and leadership has manned the defence for a while for India, but he’s going to require ample support from Bheke. Jhingan isn’t the fastest and Bheke will have to cover for him during attacks from opponents. Set-pieces are another aspect where Bheke will have to come up with the right answers. [caption id=“attachment_13415002” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] India defender Rahul Bheke and Sandesh Jhingan. AIFF image[/caption] Gurpreet Singh Sandhu We all remember Subrata Paul’s heroics from the 2011 edition when he made 16 saves in India’s 4-1 loss to Son Heung-min’s South Korea. That performance earned him the moniker ‘Spiderman’ and his heir Gurpeet will be expected to provide a similarly inspiring performance at the Asian Cup. The ever-reliable Gurpreet (197 cm) is the tallest keeper in the tournament and if he can make it count, India may end with a valuable point. It should be added that just the Bengaluru FC keeper’s saves won’t be enough. The Blue Tigers will need all 11 players to defend as a team.

India’s squad for AFC Asian Cup 2023 Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Vishal Kaith. Defenders: Akash Mishra, Lalchungnunga, Mehtab Singh, Nikhil Poojary, Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose. Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Udanta Singh. Forwards: Ishan Pandita, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Sunil Chhetri, Vikram Partap Singh.