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| Picture credit: https://x.com/IndianFootball |
While the AFC Asian Cup 2027 dream may have evaporated from them, pride can fuel this Indian national football team in their push to improve outcomes going forward. The Blue Tigers will travel to Kochi on March 31 to face Hong Kong in their last qualifying match.
Although the standings have been unchanged, for head coach Khalid Jamil, it is not an easy task to develop a winning culture with this new team.
The Wall: Experience vs. Form
The goalkeeper debate between Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Vishal Kaith is getting intense. On one hand, Kaith has been a clean-sheet machine for Mohun Bagan SG; on the other, Jamil is believed to rely on the veteran presence of Sandhu.
The backline mixes young energy with solid experience. Sandesh Jhingan, now 32, just keeps getting better and still leads the defense without question. Next to him, Anwar Ali has become the core of East Bengal’s backline; he’s comfortable on the ball and always dangerous during set pieces.
Out wide, Naorem Roshan Singh brings flexibility, while Abhishek Singh Tekcham’s knack for winning the ball back 44 times in just 6 games adds the sort of stability India’s defense has been missing.
The Engine Room: Calmness Personified
In the 'pivot' position, Apuia leads as the true maestro. With an astonishingly high 92% pass completion rate (on his ISL stats) and having shown himself to have tremendous ability to keep the ball when under pressure, he will play an extremely important role. Apuia will most likely have Jeakson Singh as his partner. This physical player has shown remarkable improvement in his tactics at East Bengal and currently holds a permanent spot in the national team.
The Attack: Speed, Skill, and a Debutant?
India literally flies on the wings with pure speed. The captain of Mumbai City, Lallianzuala Chhangte, comes into this clash with the red-hot form of 3 goals this season. At the other end, Ashique Kuruniyan is a direct, powerful threat who can very well be changed to a wingback if the tactics change in the middle of the game.
The forward line grabs all the attention this time. Edmund Lalrindika is hitting his stride; four goal contributions in just six games say it all. Still, everyone’s talking about Ryan Williams. He just got his Indian passport, and now, at 32, the Bengaluru FC forward is ready for his big debut.
He knows how to finish, and after Sunil Chhetri, India needs that kind of sharpness up front right now. Williams might be the spark that finally ends the team’s struggle to score.
India’s Predicted Starting XI (4-4-2)
GK: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
DF: Abhishek Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali, Naorem Roshan Singh
MF: Lallianzuala Chhangte, Apuia, Jeakson Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan
FW: Edmund Lalrindika, Ryan Williams
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