Doha: India will take on Afghanistan in their last game of FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday (June 15). India drew 1-1 with the Afghan side in the first leg back in November 2019, however, things could turn up very easily.
As it stands, draw or a win will take the Blue Tigers to the third round of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers who are currently placed on six points after seven matches in Group E. Amidst this situation head coach Igor Stimac opened up about being positive about the game stating ‘make sure we finish this tournament on a winning note’.
India in their first game in Doha went down a man losing 1-0 to Asian champions Qatar before making a comeback against Bangladesh with a 2-0 victory through Sunil Chhetri’s double strike. “I need to say that I don’t know any coach or any team who would come out playing for a draw,” Stimac stated in the pre-match press conference.
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“Even that might seem to be a situation when you are facing much better sides. Then, you need to drop and defend for your life and wait for one, two or three chances to counter-attack like against Qatar. But, we are not going out to play for a draw. Rather, we will go out to win it. That’s what we are aiming to do. We need to start doing it from the kick-off. I know and am very confident that all our boys are ready and fit. They need to enjoy the game.” Stimac further added.
He also spoke about the difference between the side they faced in the last game and the one they will face on Tuesday while mentioning the huge load on the shoulders of players who play for their country.
“The result against Bangladesh makes us confident. We are very happy that with the three points against Bangladesh we secured getting out of the danger of playing in the play-offs. Afghanistan are a better side than Bangladesh, and it will not be easy. Afghanistan are full of players with international experience, and most of the players are playing in foreign leagues. You can recognise it when you gauge their confidence on the ball. But at the same time, we see our chance and need to go out on the pitch and play good football and to make sure we finish this tournament on a winning note,” he added.
“As a coach, I have tried to prepare our team in the best possible way — to keep them motivated. Wearing the National Team jersey is the biggest motivation for any player, and it comes with a huge responsibility. You know how big a population is backing us, and whoever is wearing the Indian shirt has that unique chance to make the 1.4 billion people proud.”
Chhetri will undeniably be the man to watch out for if India want to secure three points alongside custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu who was in good form in the first two games. Brandon Fernandes who was arguably the star in the last game will be a vital cog in the middle of the park. His ability to hold, move and create with the football in an opposition team’s half has been gaining praise over in recent times and it’s no surprise, it suits Stimac’s vision of the game as well.
He can cause problems to the Afghan defence with vision and set-piece delivery. However, he will face the challenge of Afghanistan star Masih Saighani who knows Brandon’s strengths by previously playing in the Indian Super League. He will probably operate as a defensive midfielder to neutralize Fernandes’s threat.
Glan Martins is another key player for the Indians as a holding midfielder who can cut the passing lanes of the opposing players. However, he will have his battle against Faysal Shayesteh who the goal for Afghanistan in the first leg and is really a tricky player to deal with.
Chinglensana Singh also showed great promise in the last game. His abilities in the box during the set pieces was very good too and will be vital in Tuesday’s game.
India’s squad
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Dheeraj Singh
Defenders: Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Narender Gehlot, Chinglensana Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Adil Khan, Akash Mishra, Subhasish Bose
Midfielders: Udanta Singh, Brandon Fernandes, Liston Colaco, Glan Martins, Rowllin Borges, Suresh Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Pronoy Halder, Lalengmawia (Apuia), Sahal Abdul Samad, Mohammad Yasir, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Ashique Kuruniyan, Bipin Singh
Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Manvir Singh, Ishan Pandita
