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New Delhi: The ongoing Nehru Cup, the marquee event of All India Football Federation (AIFF) will not only see players engaging in a battle for supremacy but will also put most of the coaches through an acid test.

For Wim Koevermans (India), Krishna Thapa (Nepal) and Marwan Khouri (Syria), it will be their first assignment and they would really like to assess themselves as to where they stand also their team before going on to conquer higher endeavours.

Neither of the coaches did get enough time to instil their style of play, but then are pretty confident that the teams will be able to adapt to the changes rather sooner than later.

For an instance, Koevermans wants India to concentrate more on keeping the possession of the ball. Whereas Thapa already has chalked a plan and would try it out here and for Khouri, he has just asked his boys to gain experience and play to their best.  

Whatever may be the course of action for these coaches, Nehru Cup is an ideal tournament for them to start off with as the tournament does not have much effect on the FIFA rankings.

Wim, who just took over the team from Savio Madeira two months back, got only three weeks to know them and make the players play to his style stays upbeat that his wards have the capacity of adapting to his style of ‘total football’ very soon.

“I think the style of possession football suits our players. We have started with something which is not rocket science. I have told them to keep the ball on the ground as long as possible,” said Wim.

“This is possible with these players. I have told them to win the ball back for better defending. The team has worked on these areas. But the best test is a match,” he added.

Wim, who started his campaign with a 2-1 win over Syria, however had to change his strategy due to torrential downpour midway into the match, but the way India played in the initial moments of the match showed positive signs.

Khouri like his Indian counterpart came on board just two months and took over the reign from Claude Le Roy of France.

He is aware that his team has been beaten by India in the finals in two consecutive editions but then is confident of doing well with his pack of under-22 players and wants to meet India in the finals.

 “This is a young team and we are preparing for the Asian and the FIFA competitions in the coming days. I hope they will play well and meet India in the finals once again,” said Khouri.

For Thapa it is not the first time that he is coaching this side but then he was off charge after Graham Roberts took over.  Roberts however resigned after Nepal performed badly in the AFC Challenge Cup in March.

“This is the not the first time I am coaching the side but then the team is relatively new to me. We were informed about the tournament very late I did not have much time prepare. As far as the team selection goes, I just called 30 best players from the country who were with their respective clubs practising. I have thought of giving chances to new players so I have included eight under 22 players,” said Thapa.

Thapa remained optimistic about his team’s chances in the tournament and said that already have a plan set and worked everything out.

“We look to defeat India and Maldives and hold Cameroon and Syria. That way we mathematically can reach final,” said Thapa.

By Samikshan Dutta Choudhury

Indian Sports News Network