Tashkent: The Morning After, pinches. At every single step the pain stays; at every single step the heartbreak comes back; but at every single step, ambition drives them ahead – the ambition of making it to the next level -- from AFC U-16 Qualifiers to the AFC U-16 Final Phase.
In a City where you will never sniff pollution in your lifespan except for the smoked cigarettes; in a city where there’s ‘Big-Fat Weddings’ taking place every evening almost everywhere; in a City which may even put to shame the World’s Fashion Capital Milan, India’s U-16 boys turned to the statue of Amir Temur to find solace. No words, no meetings, no clicking pictures. Just silence. Stand still and feel the voice from within, ‘March Forward.’
Fast cars whooshed by, sound of wedding bugles pierced the 8’O Clock chill. Onlookers glanced, stopped, looked and then walked. The boys stood still, took a step, halted, looked up and moved -- all together. And then, the walk gathered pace. Right-hand raised with his horse in full gallop, Temur watched.
Regaining the momentum, perhaps, stay the toughest task on the football field -- that too within a day. “The match against Uzbekistan is past,” said Coach Thomas Joseph. “If we play to our potential against Tajikistan, we have a chance.”
Put yourself in his boots and you will understand his situation. All the effort, all the planning, all the dreams stay threatened of being derailed in the next 90 minutes. “Tajikistan are a balanced side,” is all what he utters. In addition, “playing every alternate day, does take its toll.” Incidentally, India stay the sole side in the leg who don’t have the luxury of an additional rest-day.
Tajikistan who beat Krygyzstan 2-0 in their second match looks a calculated side. Not preferring to open up ever, they never get out of their shape. Their uncanny ability to take long-rangers and break through the flanks can ruffle any side.
The Uzbekistan National Team, also residing in the same Hotel were busy enquiring as to what went wrong with India’s U-16 boys against the hosts. “They were a superior side. We lost to a better team,” Thomas added. With a distinct Uzbek accent, even the pantry staff assures, “Next match, Hindustan jitega.”
The influence of Bollywood in this region is known for long. The elderly statesman takes it further. “My Joota is Japani but my Dil is Hindustani,” Rustam Akramov, former Indian National Team Coach and Technical Director, hums. “Be aggressive on the field. Carry that Ambition with you,” Akramov, presently the Director of Uzbekistan’s National Team, advices. “Fight, fight and fight. Unless you fight, you won’t gain anything; because nothing comes easy on the football field. It’s a war for 90 minutes.”
90 minutes! It can be so memorable at times; it can be so cruel at times -- the fifteen-year old boys know it by now. Every kick-off is a new match, a different one. Friday marks a new beginning; Indian football awaits the new beginning.
Knowing it was time to leave, the boys gather in a huddle at the ‘Square of Amir Temur’. Arms on shoulders, heads down, they meditate. It’s only when they take the steps to the Team Hotel, they hear the voice again. Right-hand raised with his horse in full gallop symbolising arrogance, confidence, ability and courage, it’s Amir Temur! ‘MARCH FORWARD.’
October 7: India vs Tajikistan – IST: 12pm
THE CALCULATION:
• A win for India will seal them a berth in the AFC Final Phase.
• A draw will take them to seven points. In that case, Tajikistan need to beat Uzbekistan in their last match on October 9 to ring exit bells for India.
• A loss will shut the doors for India in the AFC U-16 Qualifiers.
By Nilanjan Datta
