Football News: The Indian football team could benefit from their new midfield

When India head coach Igor Stimac decided to dispense the midfield trio of Suresh Singh, Anirudh Thapa, and Brandon Fernandes in the first game (against Cambodia) of the Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers in Kolkata, the team received immense praise. A part of that also had to do with Stimac allowing full-back pairing of Akash Mishra (at left-back) and Naorem Roshan (at right-back) to show their magic. 

Jeakson and Suresh: India's dynamic midfield duo

In his 28 matches in charge, Stimac attempted 18 different combinations in central midfield. His preferred one is the 4-2-3-1 formation, where the two deepest midfielders are chosen as a double pivot. Anirudh Thapa has served on 13 occasions as a part of the esteemed dual pivot. However, Thapa played only one-half of the football as India scored eight and conceded just one goal against Cambodia, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. This is due to Štimac's decision to pit the physically stronger Jeakson Singh alongside Suresh Singh Wangjam. 

It marked the first time the two players started an international match together since 12 October 2017, when India lost 4-0 to Ghana in the Under-17 World Cup. They're both 21-year-old Manipuris who rely on their standard dialect besides other things to make their partnership work. Suresh, who has played 14 times for India's senior side, trusts his partner. "When I am out of position, chasing the ball or going forward, I know Jeakson is behind me offering enough protection. He is calm with the ball, good in the air, unfazed under pressure, and always in the right place," said Suresh. 

Can the younger generation of Indian footballers make history?

Even Sunil Chhetri termed the younger bunch of players as "more aware". Jeakson appreciates Suresh's ability to recover and retrieve but also acknowledges his partner's weaknesses, especially in the air. In the three matches Suresh played in the qualifiers, he won 20 of his 38 duels, maintained 90% accuracy, and made 17 recoveries. However, he couldn't win even an aerial contest and failed to make a key pass into the box. On the other hand, Jeakson won 71% of his duels, secured every header, and completed 40 of his 42 passes against Afghanistan.

Against Hong Kong, he won three of his four headers and made an equal number of challenges in his and the opposition's half, besides grabbing an assist. Jeakson admittedly has been working on long passes even after regular training. However, he does not want to underestimate other talented players like Lalengmawia Ralte (Apuia), who plays in the same position as Jeakson, despite having a completely different profile. Jeakson is aware of other players willing to take his place, giving him a boost to work harder. Hence, it is clear that India's younger generation is self-aware, competitive, and willing to take India to newer heights.