Youth can deliver

Stephen Constantine brought to the 2019 Asian Cup, India’s youngest-ever squad to the tournament. In fact, the Indian team was the youngest only to Iraq whose team average age was 24, one more than India’s average. 20 year-old Anirudh Thapa, started in the first two games scored his first goal for in national colours. Ashique Kuruniyan the 21 year-old only made his debut for India about three months back. When Ashique was announced to be starting ahead of veteran strikers like Jeje Lalpeklua and Balwant Singh, there were questions on the coach’s pickings. But his performance to perfectly compliment Sunil Chhetri with his speed and movement left everyone to take notice of the youngster. Faith in the young ones proved the gamble worked well for the gaffer only to fall a bit short.