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India need to focus on defence against Bahrain, says Schattorie (IANS Interview)
By Ajeyo Basu
New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) Lauding India’s spirited performances at the Asian Cup football tournament, Northeast United FC coach Eelco Schattorie asserted that the boys in blue will have to focus on their defence in their third and final group match against Bahrain.
The Indians have surprised fans, critics and rivals with their spirited performances in their first two matches at Asian football’s showpiece event.
The perennial underdogs have well and truly lived up to their nickname ‘Blue Tigers’ by asking tough questions of much higher rated teams in a tough Group A despite their technical and tactical limitations.
They stunned Thailand 4-1 thanks to a strong second half performance and outplayed hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) before inability to finish off the half a dozen chances they created came back to haunt them in a 0-2 defeat.
Although the Indian defence has mostly been well organised in the two matches, there have been occasional lapses and Schattorie felt that India coach Stephen Constantine needs to focus on this aspect ahead of the encounter against Bahrain on Monday.
“Opponents do their homework and the key as I said in our first game against Thailand is India’s defence. The team’s defence was not accurate and with Bahrain, the long ball strategy will be similar as their striker is one who can run and have length which India really needs to ready themselves to face,” Schattorie told IANS in an email interview.
Experienced central defender Anas Edathodika has recently come off an injury lay-off, Schattorie asserted that the Kerala player needs to polish up his combination with Anirudh Thapa at the back.
“With Anas not having too much game time, it can affect the co-operation with Anirudh which needs to be strong,” Schattorie, who is also an expert with broadcaster Star Sports, said.
Although both UAE and Bahrain have similar playing styles, the former East Bengal coach opined that the latter’s direct style may prove to be easier to read for the Indian defenders.
“The difference between UAE and Bahrain will be that UAE take little bit more time to attack from the back, so the long ball comes as a surprise, but Bahrain plays a little more direct, so India can anticipate more,” he said.
Bahrain will be more desperate to win since they are at the last place in the Group A standings with a single point from two matches. They had held held UAE 1-1 in their campaign opener before losing to Thailand.
The Indians are in a relatively comfortable position. They are second in the group with three points from two matches. A draw will carry the boys in blue to the next round if UAE manage to beat Thailand in Monday’s other group match.
Schattorie felt that Bahrain will need to play a more attacking game than usual which may open up space at the back for the fast Indian counter-attacks.
“Bahrain will be playing against their nature, as a counter team who needs to attack. India needs to launch more counters so in this case not much will change. Keeping the striker at the front should be taken into consideration, but I don’t think a change now will be consistent as change creates confusion between players. I don’t believe we have underperformed against UAE so we should play with what we have got,” he said.
(Ajeyo Basu can be contacted at By [email protected])
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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