The Blue Tigers started their third round of qualification with a 2-0 win over Cambodia and will be aiming to solidify their place at the summit of Group D with a second win.
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India will play Afghanistan in its second Group D AFC Asian Cup qualifying match at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday. The Blue Tigers started their third round of qualification with a 2-0 win over Cambodia and will be aiming to solidify their place at the summit with a second win. Afghanistan, on the other hand, began with a 2-1 loss to Hong Kong. Meanwhile both these sides have faced each other on 15 occasions and India has an upper hand, winning nine times and five games ended in draws. The last meeting between these two teams was in June, 2021, in the World Cup qualifiers, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Focus ? level ?#ACQ2023 ? #BackTheBlue ?#BlueTigers ? #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/vTT7A5vqf9
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 10, 2022
Although Igor Stimac’s side began the qualification campaign with a victory, it wasn’t a great performance from the Blue Tigers against a team ranked 171 in the FIFA rankings. Despite having around 70% of the ball possession, the Blue Tigers failed to create enough clear cut opportunities. The first goal arrived in the 14th minute, when Liston Colaco won a penalty and captain Sunil Chhetri converted the spot-kick. And then, on the hour mark, Brandon Fernandes’ cross from a short corner-kick was headed home by Chhetri at the far post. It was the 37-year-old’s 82nd goal in 126 international appearances. The introduction of Ashique Kuruniyan, Sahal Abdul Samad and Udanta Singh in the second half added a bit more urgency and pace to the India attack.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, would be eager to bounce back, after losing the opener. Hong Kong took the lead through Wai Wong, mid-way through the first half before Mathew Orr doubled the lead four minutes later. Although the Lions of Kohorasan pulled one back through Farshad Noor in the 81st minute, the Strength managed to hold on to the slender lead and secured the three points. Afghanistan certainly needs to up their game against the hosts to keep their chances of going through to the finals alive. The likes of midfielder Shark Mukhammad, defender Zohib Amiri who have lots of experience of playing in India should take the responsibilities.
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Since India’s starting XI against Cambodia wasn’t impressive, Stimac could make some changes for the Afghanistan game. Midfielder Anirudh Thapa is likely to be replaced with Glan Martins to add more physicality, while Ashique could replace Mavir in the forward line. In the defence, Rahul Beheke could be back in contention as Stimac confirmed the the right-back will recover in time for the Afghanistan game.As for Afghanistan, Anoush Dastgir is likely to stick with the same formation of 4-2-3-1, but there could be some changes in personal. Defender Amiri, who has experience of playing in the I-League could get a spot in the starting eleven. Gokulam Kerala FC’s Mukhammad will continue to pull the strings in the midfield.
India probable starting lineup: GS Sandhu Rahul Bheke, Jhingan, Anwar, Mishra, Brandon, Suresh, Martins, Liston, Ashique, Chhetri
Afghanistan probable starting lineup: Azizi, Najem, Mukhammad, Amiri, Haidary, Noor, Husin, Kouhyar, Popalzay, Haydar, Ahmadi.
The AFC Asian Cup qualification Group D match between India and Afghanistan will take place at the Salt Lake stadium and it will kickoff at 8:30 pm IST on June 11, Saturday
For the football fans in India, live streaming of the match is available on Disney+Hotstar VIP/JioTV apps and TV viewers can watch it on Star Sports network.
