AFC U-22 Qualifiers: India face tough Iraq test

After their opening 5-2 win against Lebanon, the India Under-22s have come in for a lot of praise for the way they won the match under new coach Arthur Papas against the west Asian side. Now they face tougher opposition in Iraq, who won their opening match 4-0 against Turkmenistan.

Arthur Papas is just loved by his boy. Within a span of three weeks, Papas has been able to turn around a batch to try to play a different style; a style unheard and unseen of in India. Most had felt the style never suited India. And mind you, Papas knew none of the boys prior to taking up the assignment.

Midfielder Lalrindika Ralte certifies, "We stayed a bit skeptical about the style at the outset. But we are enjoying it at the moment." Captain Jeje Lalpekhlua adds, "We are a confident lot now but we need to be a more complete lot." And Deepak Devrani feels, "Earlier by instinct we were different. Now, the instinct stays different."

The Australian Coach, smiles. "We need to be cautious. Iraq are one of the strongest teams in Asia. It's true we will take a lot of confidence from our match against Lebanon. But against Iraq, it will be a different match altogether," he maintains. For the record, Iraq are currently 74th in the FIFA Rankings while India are 164th.

Iraq were very much clinical in their display when they brushed aside Turmkenistan 4-0 in their first match of the Championship. "We will fight and try for a positive result. So far, the boys have shown excellent character," Papas adds.

The beauty of this squad stays everyone stays willing to back each other. Against Lebanon, there were three who made their International Debut -- Shaiju Mon, Ganeshan and Alwyn George. Alwyn went on to score a brace while Shaiju and Ganeshan played with attitude in midfield.

There's someone else who just can't stop beaming – Jeje Lalpekhlua. It was his debut match after almost six months as an injury had kept him out. The last 30 minutes he was on the field and he seemed to be omnipresent. He stayed willing to come down to help his teammates, opened the space for Alwyn and Lalrindika in the midfield and significantly, converted the two chances he got.

"We are friends – all from the same age group. It helps. The Coach has had a specific plan for me and my responsibility is to execute it," Jeje opines.

The years of international experience of many of the boys for India junior teams does help now.

The morning after the win, the support staff run all around. Players leave their playstations as the intercom rings. The massage table waits, so does the ice bath. All take it one by one. Papas keeps track of every minute detail.

Even as the team bus pierces the blur of brown rocks which form the rocky desert in the City, dessert stays taboo for all. "Relish your dessert and you won’t be able to relish yourself on the field," has been Papas' instruction. At the Dining Hall, the players pass by ignoring the sumptuous spread of desserts.

The kick-off against Iraq is at 19.45 local time (21.15 IST).