Cameroon has it easy

NEW DELHI, August 27, 2012.



Sliding tackles, relentless aggression, backing each other with tactful interchanging of position has given the Indian football team a reputation to defend. Not at its best but not at its worst either, this team under new coach Wim Koevermans is fast picking the trade of modern football — to hang on to the ball with positive movements.



It would be naïve to even suggest that the team has arrived. It has actually just begun a journey that presents many peaks to be scaled for a bunch of youngsters who have taken only the baby steps towards achieving their goals.



The departure of stalwarts like Baichung Bhutia, Mahesh Gawli, Deepak Mondal, Samir Naik and Climax Lawrence has put the onus on Clifford Miranda, Sunil Chhetri, Syed Rahim Nabi and Subrata Paul to take over the responsibility.



Vigorous campaign



The Nehru Cup performance would give an indication of how well the team has picked the lessons from Koevermans. The coach from The Netherlands has a realistic position on his role and his expectations from the young lot. He has launched his campaign on a vigorous note and the victories against Syria and Maldives have glowingly highlighted the growing self-belief of the team.



Indian football is a mere speck on the international circuit. But it has made some progress in the last few years with English coach Bob Houghton raising the hopes and Koevermans taking his work forward. The emphasis is clearly on performance and not survival. If Houghton believed in the long-ball concept then Koevermans is firm in his quick on-the-ground passing scheme.



Have the players adapted? These are still early days but then they have little choice. Ball possession and attacking style is the main ingredient of modern football and Koevermans has come from the traditional school of total football. Constant interchanging of positions gives depth and variety to a team's character and the Indians have succeeded in making some progress in this area against Syria and Maldives.



Nabi gave a good account of his potential and skill with his tactical play in both the matches. Miranda lends variety in the midfield and his overlapping does add to the woes of the opposition. Sunil Chhetri has not lost his scoring prowess and should be a force for some time to come with support from the wings by Francisco Fernandes and Lenny Rodrigues. With Koevermans preferring Raju Gaikwadis yet to get a chance but Gourmangi Singh has marshalled his men well at the back.



India, sitting pretty at the top with two victories, was joined on Sunday evening by Cameroon. The African nation, the most impressive team so far in the tournament, brushed aside the Nepalese challenge with a clinical display. By winning 5-0, Cameroon has taken a prominent step towards making the final. The goals came from Kologny Vigny Merime, who made the most of a faulty clearance by goalkeeper Riteesh Thapa in the 13th minute and Ebanga Bertin who tapped in a cross by Ashu Tambe shortly before the half time. Merime and Bertin knocked in a goal each in the second half to complete the tally.



The result: Cameroon 5 (Kologny Vigny Merime (13 & 61), Ebanga Bertin 41 & 67, Momaso Joseph 77) bt Nepal 0.
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