Why India must be wary of smallest AFC nation Guam in World Cup qualifier

Guam is the smallest member of the Asian Football Confederation, are ranked 33 places below India, boasts of population almost equal to Indian hillstation Shimla and more than half-a-dozen of its players play for a team called Payless Supermarket Strykers. The last encounter between the two sides ended in a 4-0 win for India (2014 AFC Challenge Cup) but at one point, even that was a good result for Guam. After all, this is a side which took 35 years to register a win. The last time they played World Cup qualifiers, they conceded 35 goals in two games. Surely — surely it will be easy going for India when they take Guam on on 16 June in a World Cup 2018 preliminary joint qualification round two match? The answer is no. [caption id=“attachment_2296786” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Robin Singh in action against Oman. AFP[/caption] Guam’s improvement under their manager Gary White (who took over in 2012) has been phenomenal — their latest competitive fixture, an impressive win over Turkmenistan (on the same day that India lost to Oman) is proof of that. In his tenure, White has also managed to convince a handful of MLS players who gave up the chance to play for USA and get their international caps for the scenic island nation. The 40-year-old Englishman doesn’t have a playing career worth boasting about — the highlight of it being his status as a future prospect for Southampton (he later played for Western Australia State League side Fremantle City and for Australian pro club Bognor Regis Town). But his roles as technical director/manager for minnows like British Virgin Islands and the Bahamas resulted in a 28-place jump in FIFA rankings for the former and a 55-place jump for the latter (including FIFA’s highest mover in 2006). In his time with the BVI, White was the youngest (25-years-old) manager to compete for World Cup qualification. White’s team lineup in a fluid 4-4-1-1 — much like India, who looked a more cohesive unit against Oman. While India played that match on determination and drive, it will be Guam who will be doing so against India. Not to mention that White bases his philosophy on those same principles. “It’s a simple formula: drive, desire, determination combined with having confidence and self-belief,” he told SI Sports Centre in a December 2014 interview — when asked about his key to success. But he won’t be banking on just that. White’s team is unknown probably — but does not lack talent. LA galaxy defender AJ De La Graza is a rock at the back while captain and creative forward Jason Cunliffe boasts of 17 goals in 35 appearances. It will be hard to beat this India team though. Despite the loss to Oman, there were many positives for the team — most notable their incessant pressing system. They may have to play a slightly patient game against Guam though — but the organisational lessons learnt in Bengaluru will help the side. “We have watched India’s match against Oman and must say that there seems to be a new life in the Indian Team. They looked very organised and it will be difficult to break them down,” White said ahead of the match. Which is why it’s hard to see Stephen Constantine make wholesale changes to his XI. There could be a possible personnel change in the left-wing, where CK Vineeth struggled for space. The only other area that could see a switch is the goalkeeper. Subrata Paul was between the sticks against Oman and made two crucial saves, but Constantine has handed out 13 debuts since taking over in February and that could mean a chance for 23-year-old Gurpreet Singh. Jackichand Singh, Sunil Chhetri and Robin Singh are expected to line up in attack again. Constantine has spoken time and again about his desire to find a consistent XI — but he has appointed a new captain for this match in Chhetri. The striker netted a fabulous goal against Oman and looked every bit the leader in attack. “Technically and tactically there have been a lot of changes in the Team. The hunger and desire is back in the squad and we need to collectively give 100 percent to get results,” Chhetri said ahead of the match. “They have several of their players playing in the US with a couple playing in the MLS [Major League Soccer - the country’s primary legue]. Obviously they have the edge of having back to back home games and they are going to maximise it as much as possible as everyone would,” Constantine said. India are up against supposed minnows — but Guam have shown the ability to spring surprises. They have a wily manager, who is one of the world’s top 16 football coaches according to the English FA. Anything less than the effort the side put in against Oman will call for trouble.