Iran, Uzbekistan split points

HindustanTimes - The coaches of the two TFA sides will have been glad that Iran and Uzbekistan split points in the second match of the JRD Tata Cup International here on Friday. It a match of two halves, Uzbekistan dominated the first and scored through Umarov Bahrom in the 21st minute, before Milan Midavoodi got the equaliser seven minutes into the second half.

A heavy shower just prior to the start left the ground slippery and players of both teams found it difficult just to keep their footing. Iran got a couple of chances to forge ahead, but the Uzbekistan goalkeeper kept his team in the fray with some good saves.

TFA white favourites

Judging by Bangladesh’s performance in the last match, TFA White will be favourites when the two teams clash on Saturday.

TFA White coach Stephen Constantine probably couldn’t have asked for a better opener. The plethora of talent at his disposal will be on show as he seeks to get his boys going in preparation for AFC under-20 meet.

Having lost to TFA Blue on Thursday, Bangladesh coach Mohammed Abu Yousuf is perfectly aware of what he is up against. “We will playing a strong team under a very good coach. We know they play direct football and will plan accordingly,” he said. The coach said he would leave out Arup Kumar Baidya and start with Anamol Haque in the midfield in what will probably be the lone change to the line-up from Thursday’s match.

Constantine has plenty to choose from. With Subrata Paul in goal, the three-man defence is likely to see Habibur Rahman Mondal as sweeper, with N S Manju as right stopper and Gurjinder Singh as the left stopper. The five-man midfield will be led by skipper Gourmangi Singh who will have Jerry Zirsanga, Malsawma, debabrata Roy and Subhas Chakraborty alongside him.

Up front, Vimal Pariyar and one of Vanlal Rova and Marlanki Suiting will start. Although Constantine claims this is a preparatory meet, he would nonetheless love to win it. “A win here would give the boys confidence ahead of the real thing,” he said.