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It was a heartbreaking turn of events for the Indian national team, who collapsed from a promising 2-0 halftime lead to suffer a 4-2 defeat against Tajikistan. The Blue Tigers now find themselves in a precarious position; their survival in the tournament hinges entirely on a victory against North Korea. As they prepare for Saturday's showdown in Ahmedabad, coach Igor Stimac is expected to shake up the squad to reverse this downward trend and secure a win.Intercontinental Cup. Heading into that game on Saturday in Ahmedabad, Igor Stimac would be targeting a few changes in order to change their fortunes around come Saturday.
Here is a look at the tactical adjustments and personnel changes we might see in India's starting XI for the North Korea match.
Back line alterations
While India's backline held firm during the first half against Tajikistan, they completely fell apart after the break as the opposition took control. The spacing between the center-backs grew dangerously wide, and a series of poorly timed headers and tackles handed the Tajik attackers easy openings. Both Mandar Rao Dessai and Narender Gahlot seemed overwhelmed by the intensity of the second half. To bring some much-needed composure to the defense for this high-stakes game, Stimac might bench the newcomers in favor of experienced veterans like Sandesh Jhingan and Subhasish Bose, provided they are fit. Additionally, Rahul Bheke could be swapped for Anas Edathodika to provide a more stable defensive foundation.
Formation change
Against Tajikistan, India utilized a 4-5-1 setup, relying on Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, and Amarjit Singh to control the middle. While this trio kept things tight early on, they struggled to maintain order once the match became more open and stretched. For the remainder of the tournament, the coach might move away from this system. We could see Amarjit make way for a winger like Ashique Kuruniyan in a 4-3-3 formation, or Stimac might pivot to the 4-4-2 style favored by Stephan Constantine, adding another striker to bolster the attack.
Jobby Justin could get his chance
A standout talent from the 2018-19 I-league season with East Bengal FC, this explosive forward proved his worth domestically, which eventually landed him a spot at ISL club ATK. Despite his club success, Justin has yet to become a permanent fixture in the national team. However, with a must-win game against North Korea looming, the 25-year-old's sharpness and attacking drive could be exactly what India needs. His presence on the field would also benefit captain Sunil Ch했고ri, potentially freeing him up to operate in his preferred role on the left wing.
Written by: Saurabh Shankar