Dubai: Jeje Lalpekhlua is India's big hope heading into their two leg World Cup second round qualifier with the UAE, in a game that will have everything to do with netting chances, said team manager Mandhar Tamhane.
At January's Asian Cup a lacklustre UAE side failed to score in their three games with Iraq, Iran and North Korea. India meanwhile managed three goals against Bahrain, Australia and South Korea — two of those came from Kansas City whizkid Sunil Chettri.
But watching back on those old videos now will give you no idea of how India has developed as an outfit post Bob Houghton.
Now under new coach Armando Colaco, who is also juggling I-League duties with Dempo, Indian football has found a new groove, which the UAE can't afford to dismiss.
"It's less of Mr Houghton's long ball up front and deal with it there — and more passing, pressing, possession play. Everyone is happy and adapting well to this new style of Indian football. It's more like how Dempo has played in the I-league under Armando," said Tamhane in an exclusive interview with Gulf News.
"Selections have been made on fitness and I-League form and the final squad will be decided after our friendly with Qatar on July 17. We have 10-11 left over from Bob Houghton's Asian Cup squad but eight to ten who form the nucleus of the Under-23 side as Armando looks to build a side for the future," said Tamhane.
"We've just had a friendly with the Maldives where we drew 1-1 and didn't make the most of our chances; there's a lot of pressure on strikers Chettri and Jeje going into the UAE match as taking our chances will be of utmost importance," said Tamhane.
Lalpekhlua, just 20, has a 100 per cent strike rate with four goals from four games so far for India and is the highest Indian scorer of last year's I-League (13) with Pune. He along with Chettri is at the forefront of a new-look India outfit.
Tamhane added: "We know the UAE is a strong and very capable side. It will be very tough in Al Ain but we're positive if we can hold on we'll have a chance at home. Obviously if we win this will be a massive boost for Indian football."
