India Under-22s start against Lebanon tomorrow

The India Under-22s tomorrow open their AFC Under-22 Asian Championship qualification campaign against Lebanon in Muscat, Oman in what is a tough group for the Indian boys. A good start could set to tone for the rest of the qualifiers, a loss might indirectly mean the end of the dream to qualify for the final round.

Head Coach Arthur Papas said, "It is our first match of the Championship and is a critical one. A good start can provide us the optimism to look a qualification."

You ought to like the man for sure. He has been successful enough to impart a strict sense of discipline within the team. There's a certain dress code for all to follow; if you are late for the meals, you are 'punished'. The punishment ranges from having intense extra sprints in practice to singing a song prior to lunch or dinner.

With things taking a bit more than usual to settle down after checking into the Muscat Hotel on yesterday, a few of his wards arrived a bit late for lunch. They had to sing. "Jana Gana Mana…" The start just couldn’t have been better. All appreciated.

"This is very necessary. There's unity in the team. We need to push ourselves to be on time and perfect for everything. Football is all about that," midfielder Lalrindika Ralte adds.

On the field, Papas has been stressing on a new style of play - a style which emphasises on keeping possession of the ball. Once you get it, you can't afford to let it go. And you have to admit, the boys have shown 'tremendous maturity'.

"The practice sessions are fun," proclaims Ralte. "We are enjoying it. Everyone is enjoying it."

You watch from a distance. It's all about touches – one, two, three, four… and at times, seems unending. Unaffected, relaxed, confident, one can rely on his skills. "We need to strike a balance," is all what Papas will tell you.

Off the field, almost every moment, he's on his toes. "Water intake should be high," he says. The boys nod. "No desserts please," he goes on. The boys agree. "No late nights. Take enough rest," the boys trust their new coach.

The conditions in Oman were supposed to be foreign. There's a heat wave which will prompt you to believe the indoors are the best place on Earth. But the Camp in New Delhi and Dubai has proved beneficial though Papas informs: "Dubai was less hot."

Lebanon challenge India in their first match tomorrow (5 pm local, 6.30 pm IST). Iraq, UAE, Turkmenistan and Oman would follow in the coming days.

"We stay on a threshold," Captain Jeje Lalpekhlua proclaims, "We have adjusted to a new style, it's a new bunch and we have a new Coach at the helm. There's a more definite approach at the moment," he adds. "I've recovered fully and am fit at the moment!"

Tomorrow the boys need to prove how quickly they have been to learn and if they can get a positive result at the start.