Sultan of Johor Cup game 3: Gurinder Singh collected the ball some 10 yards in front of the half line on the left flank before dodging a couple of Pakistani players and switching flanks by playing a diagonal cross-field pass to Harjeet Singh. The junior India skipper was positioned near the 25-yard line on the right, controlled it with his first touch and played it through to Imran Khan, who deflected it in the path of Armaan Qureshi. The 19-year-old half back finished the move in some style by tapping it past the goalkeeper.

Sultan of Johor Cup semifinal: In the first half against Australia, Sumit Kumar was smothered by the defenders near the 25-yard circle. Instead of trying to dribble past them, Kumar spotted space on the opposite flank and smartly played a square ball from the left to Santa Singh, who drilled in a cross that was masterfully deflected in by forward Parvinder Singh.

For long, lack of creativity in the midfield has been India’s bane. Inability to find space in the opponent’s 25-yard area and holding the ball in the centre have killed many a attack. But in the process of defending their Sultan of Johor Cup title in Malaysia last week, the juniors have also have shown a glimpse into the patterns that the future Indian teams may adopt.

The quick interplay, precise passing and smart deflections inside the ‘D’ were common feature throughout the campaign, outsmarting the Australian colts as well as New Zealand with their slick movements with and without the ball. “The idea is to waste as little time in the midfield as possible. That is one area of the field where nothing constructive happens. The result is always decided in the attacking and defensive third. The centre area is just for the spectators. In the past, we have had the tendency of holding the ball in the midfield. We are trying to change that,” says junior team coach Harendra Singh.

It’s a pattern mooted by high performance director Roelant Oltmans, in an attempt to mix the European style with Indian. The players are being trained to play long, defence-splitting balls into the attacking third. Structural changes are introduced, with strong emphasis on positioning and execution, as was evident in Qureshi’s goal against Pakistan.

Skill where it matters

Once in the 25-yard area, the players have been given the go-ahead to use their skills and flair but have strongly advised against it in the centre of the field. “It’s all about finding space and weakness in opponents’ set-up. It will take a lot of training sessions to achieve perfection in that but we have managed that so far,” Oltmans adds.

Even against Malaysia, Jarmanpreet Singh drilled a ball inside the ‘D’ from the centre. With an Indian striker lining up to deflect the ball in, a Malaysian defender was forced to make a lunging tackle. He missed the ball, resulting in the referee awarding a penalty stroke to India.

The concept was alien to the junior team before the camp for Johor Cup, and one that the seniors have also struggled to adapt to. “A lot of it also depends on match situations,” says Harendra. “This is one of the many new strategies we are trying to enforce. And it also depends on match situations,” Harendra adds. “If your opponent gives you space to play long balls into the circle, then we should know how to do that. If they do not give us that space, dodge and dribble your way through. But we should not waste time thinking the next move.”

The former senior team coach added that such strategies work well against teams like Pakistan and Malaysia, who tend to leave a lot of empty spaces. Against structurally sound units like Australia and Great Britain, it is difficult to implement these plans. “Australia will give you space in two specific areas, which I cannot disclose. If you know how to exploit them and how to make last passes, then it’s an equal match,” Harendra says.

How efficient this tactic would be against physically stronger senior teams remains to be seen. But Harendra feels the transition will be smooth, with the 2016 junior World Cup as primary target. “Unlike in the past, we are having joint camps for juniors and seniors so that there is no vacuum in style of play and thinking,” he says. “It’s a long-term thing, but with proper training and practice, our players will adapt.”