Good result but more to do

The result is good, but the play was as it had always been – disjointed, long balls, wayward clearances. No attempt was made to stick to a passing game or hold up the ball in the midfield and make any link up play.

There was no creativity in the midfield, cannot string couple of passes. Defence was weak, made too many mistakes by over-elaborating in their own half when a simple pass was enough to get out of the tight situations.

But this is not unexpected given most of the players were fighting fitness problems, as they had come to this without competitive football for a long time. Coach’s wish in a previous interview not to overburden Ashfaq with every other ball is yet to be corrected. It was still long balls to opposition half, half-expecting, half-praying to locate Ashfaq, which, of course, failed most of the time.

The most surprising of all was, keeper Imran’s long punt up-field every time when he gets the ball, which was useless as it is cleared by opposition defenders. It would have been more beneficial to play to defender close by or throw long to a teammate. That way at least, we could start from our own half and try to build up and go forward.

We were really fortunate to get a goal in the 10th minute otherwise it would have been real nervy first half, as we somewhat failed to press forward and take initiative despite the lead.

This score-line in the end may be flattering but it is important that we do not read too much into the result as overconfidence can kill all the hopes before the real test starts.

It is also important that we take note of that this score was possible, because Laos tested two of their reserve goalkeepers and they conceded two goals that should have been saved. It doesn’t mean to take away anything from our strikers.

Sentay was brilliant with his finishes, Ashfaq as usual was dictating the forward play with searing pace. Shamweel, though out of national team for a long time, grew into the game with every passing minute; his pass to Ashfaq’s volleyed goal was perfectly-weight and sublime.

There is still huge scope for improvement with the few days left. Perhaps this was not the actual starting line-up, Arif’s inclusion can tighten the loose ends in the defence and lend more authority to midfielders to play with more freedom.

But they first need to banish the thought of hitting the ball aimlessly as if anywhere will do. May be they will and fine-tune some of these recurring mistakes and be more organised and disciplined come 19th May.