Both the coaches have opted to play mind game before the match on June 16, Gary White and Stephen Constantine opted to praise each other before the West Pacific duel for 2018 pre-world cup qualifier group D match between host Guam and India.
Following a 1-2 defeat to Oman in the second round of pre world cup qualifier at Bnagaluru, India have been in Guam to play them in the second group D match. Guam will be upbeat following their first pre world cup qualifier 1-0 win against much stronger Turkmenistan. This was their second win altogether since their first win came against Mongolia in 2009. Although there has been a sea change under English coach Gary White, Guam will start as underdog against much higher ranked India. Last time when the two teams met each other in 2013 in Yangon for 2014 AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers India defeated the tiny West Pacific ocean team by 4-0 margin.
FIFA Ranking: Guam 174, India 141
Head to Head record
Total match played: 1
Wins: India 1, Guam 0
Draw: 0
Goal: India 4, Guam 0
Strength:
Guam
The Matao is defensive in their approach. Against India they will start as underdog. However their new found strength they can rip through the Indian defense. In their last match they kept their defense tight under the leadership of AJ DeLaGarza, frustrated the Turkmenistan forwards. It was observed that in the last match Guam concentrated more and capitalized on opponent’s error, as happened in the last Turkmenistan defense failed to clear the midfielder Ryan Guy’s long throw in, put the ball into their own net, and sealed the fate of the match in favour of West Pacific island. Midfielder Jason Cunliffe, John Matkin and forward Ian Mariano are the potential threat to Indian defense.
India
As it was observed in the last qualifier against Oman, Indian players can rattle the opposition defense with wing play from both right and left flanks. CK Vineeth on the right and Jackichand Singh on the left were impressive. With Eugenesan Lyngdoh and Sehnja Singh holding the midfield and Sunil Chhetri’s bursting run into the danger zone will be challenging to Guam defense. “We are here to win the game. Whoever the opponent may be, we go to the field with a positive mind frame. I think that we are a new team and this is just the second time I have had the players in four months,” a confident Stephen Constantine roared.
Weakness:
Guam
The US territory has even less number of international playing experience than India. Standing far below than India in FIFA ranking at 174 definitely not makes them a stronger side than India. Yes, they have MSL league players but most of them play their trade on third or fourth division of the league. Alongside that last time both team met each other India had won the match with 4-0 margin. However Guam coach Gary White said, they have a plan for India.
“The plan was to get off to a good start. We had a game plan for Turkmenistan and that worked well for us. The players applied themselves and in the end, we got the result. The game against India will be difficult. But we do have a game plan,” White observed.
India
India are riddled with many problem. Most of the players have not played together for a long time, except the Nepal and Oman match this young team have not much experience. As it was seen in the last match Indian players were looking exhausted midway through the match following a grueling I league campaign. The most disturbing area for India is the defense where lack of understanding between the Arnab Mondal and Dhanachandra Singh and Rino Anto’s fragile presence proved costly for India, offered a penalty to Oman. Not only that nonchalant defending, bad tackling are also issues to be worried about.
Formation:
Guam
The native of Southampton Gary White is a believer of old English thoughts. He employs 4-4-2 formation which according to the situation of the match converted into either 4-5-1 or 4-6-0 or 4-4-1-1
India
Compatriot Stephen Constantine is also a believer of 4-4-2 formation. Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Jackichand Singh, C.K. Vineeth have done well in the last match against Oman in this formation. What Stephen Constantine is trying is that he wants his forwards scores goal from aerial ball. In that case Jackichand and Vineeth are reliable fellows who can supply balls from both flanks to Chhetri and Robin.
Key players:
Guam:
Jason Cunliffe : The attacking midfielder leads his side and also has 17 goals to his name in 35 appearances for the Matao. Currently plying his club trade in Philippines, Cunliffe is also lethal at set pieces besides having a dangerous left foot to boot. India will need to be wary of his late surging runs into the box as well as giving away needless free-kicks.
Ian Mariano : The 24-year-old striker has had a great season for local club, Rovers FC as he scored 32 goals this season. Preferred upfront by Gary White, India will need to be alert of Mariano’s pace and hold up play.
AJ DeLaGraza: Last but not least, the new star in the Guam ranks is American born, AJ DeLaGraza who is yet another of the overseas Guam players. Plying his trade for LA Galaxy in MLS, the centre-back is one of the most underrated players and considered one of the best defenders in America. Versatile across the back four, De LaGraza will certainly be difficult to beat for the Indian strikers.
India
Sunil Chhetri: The thirty year old Indian striker who scored a stunner against Oman will be hungry for more against Guam with whom he has two goals to his name. His bursting run in the opposition’s defense is expected to keep India in lead.
Subrata Paul: The custodian conceded an early goal in the last match, but his saving acumen under the bar is unquestionable. His vigil presence saved India from conceding more goals.
Eugeneson Lyngdoh: The young midfield did not disappoint Coach Stephen Constantine. His ball holding skills and passing acumen has supplied enough balls to the winger Jackichand Singh. His measurable corner kick one more point to be noted.
Coach
Gary White: The 40 year old started his managerial profession with British Virgin Island at the age of only 24. In his one year tenure, he uplifted them to an impressive 28 place higher n the FIFA ranking from their previous ranking.
As a head coach of Bahamas for nine years he helped them to achieve record 138 ranking in September 2006.
White returned as the head coach of another unfancied team when he took over Guam in February, 2012. There has been a sea change in Guam football under him, as he roped in several foreign based players into the squad, with the likes of AJ DeLaGraza, Ryan Guy, John Matkin, Brandon McDonald and Mason Grimes among others who have become a mainstay of the team now.
Stephen Constantine: The Briton has distinction of coaching the football team of lower ranked football nations. Because of his knack of handling lesser known team in football world he is known as “St Jude of football.” Before joining AIFF for the second time after a three year stint from 2002 to 2005, he had been managing Rwanda, lifting the African nation to an outstanding FIFA ranking of 68.
Predicted Eleven
Guam
Goal-Keeper: Doug Herrick
Defense: Alex Lee, Mason Grimes, AJ DeLaGarza, Shawn Nicklaw
Midfield: Ryan Guy, Brandon McDoland, Jason Cunliffe (c), John Matkin
Forward: Shane Malcom, Ian Mariano
India
Goal-Keeper: Subrata Paul
Defense: Lalchhuanmawia, Arnab Mondal, Dhanachandra Singh, Rino Anto
Midfield: Jackichand Singh, Sehjan Singh, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, C.K. Vineeth
Forward: Sunil Chhetri (c), Robin Singh