Crucial India - Tajikistan
clash tomorrow

India will have to tighten their defence and overcome striking inadequacies when they take on formidable Tajikistan in a crucial Asian Football Confederation under-20 match in Kolkata on Friday.

The technically and tactically sound Tajiks had given a good account of themselves during their fluent 2-0 victory over Kyrghyzstan in the tournament opener on Wednesday, and, as such, the hosts will have to stretch themseves to the full to match the younsgters from the former Soviet republic.

With only the winners from this Group IV qualifier getting a berth in the final round in Qatar, in October, none of the teams can afford to take things lightly. The stage is therefore set for an interesting duel, at the Salt Lake stadium, which may even determine the winner.

Having carved out a 4-1 victory over Bhutan under floodlights on Wednesday, India lead the table by virtue of a better goal difference than the Tajiks. But the tendency of the Indian defenders to leave open gaps is a worrying factor for Uzbek chief coach Islam Akhmedov, who was effusive in his praise for the Tajikistan side after watching them on Wednesday.

"Their players are tall and have a solid physique. They also control the ball well. I have told my boys that if they repeat the mistakes they made against Bhutan then it will be curtains for them," he said.

The poor finishing of the Indian strikers, particularly Syed Rahim Nabi, is another grey area which needs to be attended to if the home side hopes to put it across their central Asian opponents.