India now better prepared to face Japan: Coach

Bangalore, Oct 9 (UNI) India has a formidable task on hand when it faces Asian giants Japan in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers here on Wednesday, Indian football coach Bob Houghton said today.

India has lost all its four matches so far in the qualifying round and Japan and Saudi Arabia have qualified for the final round.

However, the match would be interesting to see how India had improved under the new coach who took over the mantle three months ago.

Speaking to newspersons here, Houghton said 10 days of camp in the city seemed to have done a world of good for the Indian team.

Despite rain hampering practice sessions during the last two days, the players had gained by playing together after coming out of their State teams, that is taking part in the ongoing Santosh Trophy.

''It will be mainly a mid-field game for the Japanese are likely to play 3-5-2 format as it is evident from their practice sessions.

We will be playing the traditional 4-4-2 format and are working on how to tackle the Japanese. Wingers will hold the key in the match and a lot would depend on Rennedy Singh and Steven Dias on the either flanks,'' he said.

India was employing this format which could ensure a compact game. The Japanese, who were more skillful when compared to the power game of Saudis, were strong in the penalty area. They are outstanding when it comes to their own half and this was where the Indians have to plan for effective penetration. The flanks would be crucial in aiding strikers Baichung Bhutia and Manjit Singh, the coach said.

''Indians need to be positive. We know that four losses in a row can be quite disturbing, but it is vital for them to concentrate more as we have only one match after this, against Yemen, where the seniors will be playing together. They will come together only in March 2007 when they take part in the AFC President's Cup. Asian games in Doha in December will be a under-23 tournament,'' he said.

The Coach also announced the starting 11 -- Sandip Nandy (GK), Surukumar Singh, Deepak Mondal, Sanjiv Maria, N S Manju (defenders), Steven Dias, S Venkatesh, N P Pradeep, Renedy Singh (mid-fielders), Bhaichung Bhutia (captain) and Manjit Singh (forwards).

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