Singapore, (UNI) The Indian men’s football team arrived here this evening ahead of their crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier match against the hosts, scheduled for October 9. The Blue Tigers will have their first training session here tomorrow to fine-tune preparations for the away fixture.
Head coach Khalid Jamil, who recently took charge as India’s first full-time Indian coach in over a decade, has named a 23-member squad for the two-legged tie, with goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari and forward Muhammed Suhail kept on standby for the return leg in Goa on October 14.
India currently sit at the bottom of Group C with one point from two matches, and the Singapore clash is seen as a must-win to revive their qualification hopes for the AFC Asian Cup 2027. Singapore, on the other hand, lead the group and will be looking to consolidate their advantage at home.
Veteran Sunil Chhetri returns to the side to lead the attack, while goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and defender Rahul Bheke are among the key figures expected to play crucial roles. Jamil has stressed that the team’s focus will be “one game at a time”, urging players to stay composed and deliver a result away from home.
The team’s opening training session will focus on adapting to local conditions, with tactical drills and set-piece routines expected to dominate proceedings.
The second leg of the fixture will be played on October 14 at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, where India will look to finish strong in front of home fans.
