2012 Nehru Cup: India looking to seal place in final

Team India go into tonight's Nehru Cup match knowing that a victory against Nepal would seal their passage to their third straight final in the competition. Two wins from two matches, India has impressed so far.

Wilhelmus Jacobus Koevermans, better known as Wim Koevermans, has had a strong, positive effect on his new wards, who in only 17 days of pre-tournament practice plus those days in-between matches have made the transition from direct to passing football, which the Dutch coach finds very encouraging though more work needs to be done in training.

Koevermans' team has been labelled 'New India' for their new found style of play, but the team is not willing to let complacency step in. "There's no point in thinking about future matches. We face Nepal in the next match and a win will take us to the final. It's perhaps, the most important match for us," said an inform Syed Rahim Nabi.

"This Indian side is a stronger one that played in the AFC Challenge Cup in Kathmandu earlier this year. There are many young players in the side and they are physically strong. The players look to be sharper. Upfront, Sunil Chhetri also looks more aggressive," Nepal coach Krishna Thapa observed.

"The level of their performance is going up with every match. Against Maldives, India were too good. But that doesn't mean Nepal can't beat India. In fact, both the teams are of the same standard," he quips further though that has to questioned after the two teams performances in the tournament so far.

'Adjustments' Koevermans stresses in the Team Meeting. "You need to flexible on the field. We have tried various systems so far. You always need to make those adjustments. I will always keep on asking it from you," he goes on. The boys listen. "You need to dominate and redominate."

Against Maldives, finding the 'spare man' in the midfield stayed the priority. Winning the 'second ball' also stayed the priority as did 'pressing'. One sole formation stays taboo for the entire 90 minutes, we all know by now. And so far Koevermans isn't asking too much of his wards.

Captain Sunil Chhetri has turned himself into the Pied Piper of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Hard to keep pace with him when he walks, there's always a horde of fans following him almost everywhere. Seven matches on the trot he has been declared the Man-of-the-Match (five in 2011 SAFF Cup, 5 at 2012 Nehru Cup) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, a new record of sorts.

You can't just blame the world record holder if he carries a piece of the Stadium grass with him as his lucky charm or have put another piece on the trophy cabinet back home.

"I just give my best. That's my duty and I just can't shy away from it," Chhetri utters.

But it just isn't all about goals. Ask Robin Singh. The debutant came close to putting it past the line against the Maldives, but he isn't miffed. "It was my dream to play for India. If I carry out the instructions and improve, I will get more chances. The more the chances, the more will I get the opportunities to score," Robin says. "Chhetri has been exceptional. It's nice to play alongside him."

"Coach, don't you think you are already in the Final?" Koevermans was asked by a journalist the other day in the post-match press conference. The wit and humour, besides his height which separates him from the rest, Koevermans' reflexes were sharp. "You say it, I don't," he smiled as everyone in the room laughed. "Don't quote me. I haven't said it. No, we are not yet in the final," he maintained.

'Step by step, match by match,' stays the mantra of 'New India' and the next step can be taken against Nepal.

The India vs Nepal match will kick-off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 19.00 IST and will be live on Neo Prime.