Houghton to try out different attacking options against Thailand

NEW DELHI - Indian football coach Bob Houghton has said his boys need to be cautious while looking out for attacking options when they take on Thailand in the return leg of the friendly international at Ambedkar Stadium here Wednesday.

Having lost 0-1 in the away match Sunday, India would be looking to plug some of the loopholes and produce an impressive show in front of a packed home crowd.

India will be missing captain Bhaichung Bhutia, who is yet to recover from thyroid problem.

While Thailand will field only five players from the side that beat India Sunday, Houghton, too, may try out Abhishek Yadav, Baljeet Sahni and Surkumar Singh along side Sunil Chettri and Mohammad Rafi.

“I have fielded Bhaichung and Chettri in the last three years. I will be looking out for other options in this match. Abhishek Yadav is 100 percent fit and has done well with Mumbai FC last season. Rafi, whom we played as a forward last year, had a good season. Sukumar and Baljeet are my other options,” said Houghton, adding that Climax Lawrence will continue to lead the side.

Houghton had the opportunity to follow the Thailand team when he was the manager of the Chinese team that played them. The Englishman is aware of their strengths and weaknesses.

“Thailand are a good side. We had a good game against them and had our chances. It was an even match. They are weak at the penalty box area.”

Asked, if he was unhappy with his central midfield that did not play well in Bangkok, Houghton said: “We had a successful midfield in the last couple of years. But two of our crucial midfielders Steven Dias and Lawrence didn’t have a good start to the season due to injuries. They were not 100 percent match-fit and it is important for me to make sure that by January all the boys are in proper shape.”

Houghton is also not disappointed about the fact that Thailand will be fielding only five players, from the team that won in Bangkok Saturday.

“This is a fresh team. It is not possible to play your best players in every match. But now they have improved. Bryan (Robson) must have been involved in that process,” said Houghton.

Despite the win, Thailand coach and former England captain Robson is not taking the tie lightly and is wary of the workman-like attitude of the Indian team.

Robson predicted that it would be a close match and the side that takes most of the chances will win the match.

“I am impressed with the discipline and the workman like attitude of the Indian team. I think that will be the key for them,” he said.

Robson wants to make the most from the match, with just five senior players, as he is preparing the team for the Asian Games, where football is an under-23 tournament, at Guangzhou in China in November.

“We are building a side for the Asian Games so my plan was to use only five or six players from the senior national team in each of the two matches. I have used six in Bangkok and I have brought five from the senior side for Wednesday’s match,” Robson said.

“I have used 17 players in Bangkok and I have left 11 of them in Thailand. Pharnit and Thamsatchanan were rested for the Bangkok match and they are here and expected to play on Wednesday. The two forwards are very young and I am looking forward to their performance in absence of Sarayoot,” said Robson.

Robson also had words of praise for Chettri and goalkeeper Subrata Paul.

“Chettri missed a close chance in Bangkok when his shot missed the bar. The goalkeeper is also very, very good. He had a great match,” said Robson.