India will face its hardest check but on the SAFF Championship when it takes on Kuwait within the closing Group-A contest on the Sree Kanteerava Stadium right here on Tuesday.
Both groups are already into the semifinals after having gained their opening two fixtures. But at stake is the place of the table-topper, for which India wants a win and nothing much less. A draw can be sufficient for the guests, for the perimeters are tied on goal-difference however Kuwait is forward on objectives scored (7 to six).
RELATED | Spotlight on Naorem Mahesh after efficiency in opposition to Nepal at SAFF Championship 2023
Kuwait could also be ranked 143 on the planet – 42 locations beneath India – however that quantity is misleading at finest. The Rui Bento-coached outfit has been spectacular this match and has appeared each bit the facet that notched up wins over Tajikistan, Philippines and the United Arab Emirates this 12 months, all higher-ranked opponents.
measure of the place the India and Kuwait stand might be gauged by how they fared of their respective final matches. India made eight modifications in opposition to Nepal and struggled, particularly within the first half, earlier than profitable 2-0. Kuwait shuffled round 9 of its gamers versus Pakistan and nonetheless romped house 4-0.
But India can draw energy from the truth that it has not conceded for eight straight video games. It can be set to welcome head coach Igor Stimac again to the touchline after his one-match suspension for the red-card offence in opposition to Pakistan.
READ MORE | Former England U19 captain Easah Suliman hopes to put in writing a brand new chapter with Pakistan
“We made a lot of changes in the last game to make sure we’ve got everybody fit, ready and motivated,” Stimac instructed AIFF, forward of the Kuwait match. “Against Nepal, we didn’t execute the first half well as we didn’t stick to the plan.
“We weren’t marking tightly and winning aerial duels. We changed a few things, and the second half worked to perfection. Some phenomenal moves and passing,” the Croat added.
India and Kuwait haven’t met in current occasions, so there isn’t any expertise to attract upon. The earlier tie was the truth is a pleasant method again in 2010 in Abu Dhabi which the West Asians gained by an enormous 9-1 margin.
The India of at the moment want to consider it’s significantly better than that outcome. Tuesday is an opportunity to show that to a new-age Indian viewers.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com