From The U-23 Camp to Facing Brazil : Sanan and Nickson Have Come A Long Way
As Sanan and Nickson have spent quite long time together in U-23 campaigns, they have developed a crucial understanding of each other's game. Sanan has said that he is particularly impressed by Nickson's creativity in midfield and ability to deliver defence splitting passes.
XtraTime Webdesk: With the international break looming, few young players have made as strong an impression as Mohammed Sanan and Macarton Nickson. From playing together at the U-23 level to now potentially facing Brazil, these two have come a long way in their footballing journeys.
As Sanan and Nickson have spent quite a long time playing together, they have developed a crucial understanding of each other's game. Sanan said that he was very impressed by Nickson's passing range and creativity
“I really like the way he plays, especially his through passes, the way he dribbles and takes on his players. We’ve been together for a long time, first in the U-23 camp and now with the senior team. What I like most about him is the through passes he gives,” said Sanan.
Nickson, meanwhile, admired Sanan's fearless approach against defenders. "He takes on defenders one-v-one, and he’s not scared, whoever it is. He just goes for them and enjoys the game. I really enjoy watching him play," said the young forward.
According to Sanan, there will be a lot of pressure going into this match as India are going to play against some of the best football teams in the world, but he also categorically stated that they won't change their plans.
The young winger said, “The preparation will stay the same. We’ve been working hard to improve. We’ll listen to the coach and try to apply his instructions in the matches. Of course, these will be difficult games, but our preparation remains the same".
Both of them understand the importance of facing a team like Brazil, whose players are usually focused on their tactical responsibilities. Nickson has already faced Jamaica and Zimbabwe in the Unity Cup, and he believes that this experience will help him handle the upcoming challenge.
"It was a nice opportunity to play against big teams in the UK. This kind of exposure helps us grow, and we are ready for the upcoming challenge at home now,” he said.
Sanan and Nickson will look to make the most of the opportunity provided. The fact that they played together might prove to be an advantage for years to come.
But for now, we do have an exciting(and extended) international break coming up. India are facing some of the biggest teams in the world, starting with Panama on the 25th of September in Bengaluru. After that match, the Indian team will brace themselves for their biggest match ever: against Brazil on the 3rd of October in Kolkata, and then they will face Uruguay on the 6th of October at the same venue. Fans are rightfully excited about these matches, and why not? This will be the biggest test Indian football has ever faced, and the question is: will they pass this test with flying colours?
