Asian Games: India survive odds, ride Sunil Chhetri penalty for Myanmar draw and Round of 16 spot | Asian-games News

“I want to say a lot of good things. But it’s been difficult.”Sunil Chhetri tried sounding upbeat but the reality of the situation was too harsh for him to ignore.
They haven’t trained even once since landing in Hangzhou last Monday. The players haven’t had proper sleep for a week, some managing a full night’s rest only on Saturday. And there aren’t enough options on the bench – when Chhetri asked to be substituted in the first two games, coach Igor Stimac didn’t have enough players to turn to.
“So, this is just me giving you an idea of how preparation isn’t there,” Chhetri said.
India’s all-time leading goal scorer’s first-half penalty in the 1-1 draw against Myanmar ensured that the hurriedly-assembled, ragtag bunch of players that reached Hangzhou less than 24 hours before their Asian Games opener had somehow managed to sneak into the Round of 16.

: Captain taking charge 💪⚽@chetrisunil11‘s goal gave 🇮🇳 the advantage in the all-important contest 🆚 Myanmar 🎯#SonySportsNetwork #Cheer4India #Hangzhou2022 #IssBaar100Paar #TeamIndia #IndianFootball | @IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/tOZrEwNn
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 24, 2023
There wasn’t any over-the-top celebration, there was barely any celebration in fact; just pure relief and a sense of pride that they at least didn’t embarrass themselves, as was widely feared.
India finished second in Pool A behind China, ahead of Myanmar only because they scored one goal more than them – the two teams finished equal on points (4) and goal difference (-3). How they managed it, only they know. Or perhaps not.
“I think what’s really been difficult is the lack of integration,” Chhetri said. “The lack of preparation, not knowing who’s going to play… we have never played together, we haven’t trained, three games in five days hasn’t been easy. No masseur, no one. And I’m not trying to be a cryba, but it’s just what it is. But the good thing is that whoever is here, (are) all united. And now that we have qualified, it is a good thing.”

The refusal of the Indian Super League clubs to release players contracted with them for the Asiad meant no one knew until the flight took off about who would eventually play. And even then, there was little clarity as some players had to wait for their travel documents.
The uncertainty, lack of preparation, last-minute changes and selection of players who have never played together made the challenge unprecedented, Chhetri said.

FULL-TIME ⌛
The #BlueTigers 🐯 are through to the Round of 16 ✨
It wasn’t a win, but the draw was enough to take India through in the end 🙌
🇲🇲 1-1 🇮🇳
Watch live on @SonySportsNetwk 📲#MYAIND ⚔️ #19thAsianGames 🏆 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/NaBtMFr9zd
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) September 24, 2023
In the first two matches, coach Stimac didn’t have any option on the bench to give Chhetri, the oldest in the team at 39, some rest when he asked. “I looked at him and I said ‘substitute’ and he said there is no one,” Chhetri said. “The first couple of games there was no one.”
Difficulties compounded
To make matters worse, one of the players was down with fever on the morning of the match against Myanmar, further reducing Stimac’s options.
Jhingan, who was added to the squad hours before the team left for Hangzhou, tried to sum up the hectic schedule of the team due to the late planning.

“We are still jet-lagged. I slept properly first time last night. We started (the journey) on the 17th, and the whole of the 18th we were travelling, the 19th was our first match and after the game, you can’t sleep properly. Finally, we had two days off and so I could get proper sleep yesterday,” Jhingan said.
Chhetri and Jhingan are the oldest players in the team that’s made up of under-23 talent, as per tournament regulations. The duo has spent a lot of their free time talking about their children, exchanging notes on parenting and in video calls back home.
There hasn’t been any time, Chhetri and Jhingan added, to talk tactics and combinations.
“We haven’t had the time to do anything. What we’re doing, we’re just keeping it simple. Whatever we could, pass on a message in a meeting, is what we’re doing. We’re trying to keep it as simple as possible. Very basic. There hasn’t been any combination play. There hasn’t been anything,” Jhingan said.
The lack of preparation has been evident on the field. Against Myanmar, a team they have comfortably beaten in the past, India looked second-best for most parts and barely clung on.Most Read
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It might not be pretty, Chhetri and Jhingan confessed, but they weren’t even trying to be.

“Everyone has an opinion, good or bad, on how you progress. I look at the positive side, we qualified,” Jhingan said. “That’s why I’m proud of these boys.”
Chhetri added: “There are makes, but then the fact that everyone has given their best. It has not been easy and it’s not an excuse. We might not look organised. We might not look fluid… You might not see us like that. Do not feel disheartened. We’ll fight. We might not be crisp in passing, but we’ll fight.”