Madgaon, Oct 13 (UNI) India will have their task cut out when they face Singapore on Tuesday at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.
India would consider themselves to be extremely lucky as they escaped with a draw in their away match against Singapore played on October 9 at the Singapore National Stadium, Kallang.
Besides leading one-nil throughout the match, Singapore totally dominated against a 10-man India as defender Sandesh Jhingan was given his marching orders at the 47th minute when he collected his second yellow card.
Even prior to Jhingan’s sent off, Singapore dominated possesion and created more chances.
It was substitute Rahim Ali who capitalised on goalkeeping error by Izwan Mahbud to equalise for India in the 90th minute. Ali was rewarded for his high press style of play and hard running.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant players defender Subhasish Bose and midfielder Lalengmawia Ralte have been recalled for the match by head coach Khalid Jamil.
Experienced Bose is likely to start in lieu of suspended Jhingan. Ralte too could get a game in a holding role in the midfield.
Skipper Hariss Harun with his long passes, nippy Ikhsan Fandi who was on the score sheet on October 9,and Kyoga Nakamura who controlled the game very well in mid field will be some of the main threats for India.
India will hope that Sunil Chhetri who was recalled out of international retirement by coach Khalid Jameel for the qualifiers, is at his best against a well-organised Singapore defence tomorrow.
Singapore have five points from three matches and sit in second place below Hong Kong. While India just have two points from three matches in the points table and are in a must win situation.
As India are currently third on the points table in Group C, they need to win all their remaining matches and depend on results of other countries as well.
India’s best chance of qualifying is apart from willing all their matches if Hong Kong loses to Singapore at home next month.
