Beginning Thursday, Indian football will be put through its sternest test in recent times. Nayeem's boys will be scrutinised right from the moment they kick off their Asian Games campaign against Japan. It isn't as if there are great expectations, but if IM Vijayan and his band can defy heavy odds and return with their heads held high, they would have done the game here a world of good. Even if India make only the second round as they are being tipped to it will be their best performance in 16 years!Led by Nayeem, India beat Japan to the bronze in 1970. But 28 years is a long time. And because the countries' soccer profiles have moved in exactly opposite directions, the span looks that much longer. Since there is no reason to believe that Japan will start cautiously, India's ability to absorb initial pressure could well be the key to the lung-opener. It calls for restraint, adept midfield-defence co-ordination and good defensive organisation.If Japan can be forced into pushing more men forward, the Bhaichungs and the Vijayans will have the chance to attempt counter-attacks. However, speed and accurate passes would have to be the cornerstone of such moves and that is easier said than done, especially because the game at the club-level is so static. Moreover, players must regroup into a defensive formation immediately after a build-up. Run, don't walk should be the mantra. Really, more than skills, it is the players' fitness that will make or mar a team's fortunes. In countries where the game is more developed, footballers strive to attain a decathlete's all-round physical ability. Asian giants still have some way to go but Indians are far behind.Contrary to popular belief, I think we must be cautious against Nepal. Not only because India's chances of a second-round berth virtually hinge on that tie but also because Nepal's preparations have been more exhaustive than ours, going by recent reports. Since India go into that tie as favourites, victory will not exactly be tom-tommed as the achievement of the decade. But a couple of wins in the second round, where India may figure in a group which has the Koreans or the UAE, certainly will. Thin on international success, it will give Indian football a much-needed leg up.A lot has been said about the four-goal loss to Uzbekistan. Yes, there were quite a few chinks in India's game that evening. Defenders executed marking and covering duties poorly, there was little snatching and creative activity in the midfield and Bhaichung looked to be the only forward trying. But then, every team has a bad day in office. It can also serve as the right wake-up call.It must also be accepted that preparations haven't been what the doctor ordered. The clearance couldn't have come later than it did, little time has been spared for preparatory camps and less for match practice. That a couple of practice ties fell through elucidates the state of affairs. Because their overall standards are higher, advanced football nations don't need much time to set national teams in order. In India, however, even basic training has to be provided hence, longer camps are a must.For instance, combination play always a grey area needs to be improved. But clubs haven't addressed this problem because individual ability wins them domestic competitions which are all that matter.In 1982, I had almost two years and a good back-up team to prepare for the Games. In the group league, we beat Malaysia and Bangladesh and came back to lead 2-1 against China before splitting points. Even in '86, after initial hiccups, the team got around five months to prepare although clubcommitments did sometimes impede . This time it's been just over a month.Still, it's good the IOA and AIFF agreed to send the team. Not playing, after all, won't get us anywhere. Maybe, this marks the start of long-term planning.