With one win out of four matches in the early stages of the ongoing 12th season of the I-League, Indian Arrows are currently sitting at the bottom of the league table. However, there are a lot of positives for the Arrows to take from their first few matches.
Despite losing 0-2 to Real Kashmir FC in the last fixture, they have given an indication of what the team might actually evolve into once those early blues are brushed off. Midfielder Rahul Kannoly Praveen, who with his scintillating runs always keeps the rival defence busy, said that the League is a "huge challenge" for them.
"It is extremely challenging to play in the I-League. All the participating teams are some of the best teams in the country. Each team has the ability to stun the other. It is a highly unpredictable league and you have to adjust to the tactics of some teams who can switch from a direct style of play to a more possession-based style of play, almost at will," he said.
Although the Arrows had won 1-0 against Shillong Lajong FC, they have been guilty of missing chances in front of the rival goalmouth consistently - an aspect which defender Boris Singh admits is teaching them a valuable lesson.
"We cannot afford to be complacent. Be it in attack or in defence, one mistake can literally make the difference between winning and losing in the I-League," Boris said.
"Going back to our last match against Real Kashmir, we were mentally prepared for the challenge. But sometimes things don't go your way and it was one of those days where our luck did not favour us," Boris lamented.
More From This Section
Nevertheless, with the I-League still in its early stages, Boris is confident that good things are on their way. "We are really optimistic about our chances. We know we can stun some of the big names in Indian football. The best part is we are growing and evolving into better players as the league is picking the pace," he stated.
Both Rahul and Boris feel blessed for the platform and exposure that the tournament has given them after the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup which was held in India.
"I-League is a huge platform for us to showcase our skills. We have tried to make the most out of it. Each and every match for us is an opportunity waiting to reveal itself. We always play to win," Boris pronounced.
Rahul, meanwhile, credited I-League for making him a better player. "Through the I-League, we have evolved into more mature players, clashing against better and more physical opponents in the league. All of that are big lessons in our evolvement into better players.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
