Incheon (South Korea), Sep 16 (IANS): Having virtually sealed a maiden quarter-finals berth after their 15-0 demolition of the Maldives in the opening match of Group A, the India women's national football team will take on hosts South Korea in a tough encounter at the 17th Asian Games here Wednesday.
The 15-0 scoreline has infused a lot of confidence within the team but it will find the going much harder when it takes on the hosts.
India ticked all the right boxes from the first whistle against the Maldives scoring at will in either halves and virtually spent the entire 90 minutes in the opposition area.
But the two-time SAFF champions will face a much sterner test against South Korea and head coach Tarun Roy is aware of that.
"I have watched them play against Thailand and they are a very attacking team," Roy said about South Korea.
"They play a high line and their full backs overlap at every instance. They are like wingers. To negate that threat we need to play smartly and mark them tightly. We will look to pounce on the counter and play deep with five defenders. I am mulling a 5-4-1," he said.
However, Roy has to leave out the injured Tuli Goon with Suprava Samal replacing the former captain.
The backline is expected to be built around the three centre backs Radharani Devi, Romi Devi, and Ashalata Devi. Umapati will play left back.
"The rest will be the same," Roy said.
Premi and Bembem Devi comprise the central midfield with Sasmita Malik, who scored five times in the previous match, and Prameshwori Devi playing wide. Bala Devi will be the lone striker.
"The wingers Sasmita and Prameshwori will be tasked to man their full backs as well. They are fleet footed and very agile."
South Korea, who have qualified for next year's FIFA World Cup in Canada after a gap of 11 years, thumped Thailand 5-0 in their opening game, which enhanced their reputation as favourites.
The hosts, bronze medallists from the last Games, are ranked 18th in the world and fifth in Asia. India presently are 50th in the world and 11th in Asia.
"We need to play cleverly but not negatively. Three points is what we are aiming for."
The top two teams from each of the three groups plus the two best third-placed sides will advance to the quarter-finals.