Their preparation was removed from very best however India will draw inspiration from a draw towards Asian champions Qatar in 2019 after they face the second leg of the mixed World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers right here on Thursday.
India had defeated the mighty Qatar 0-0 right here in September 2019, which is considered probably the greatest for the group in latest occasions.
But India are enjoying their residence match right here because the Qatari capital was chosen because the centralized venue for all remaining Group E matches after the qualifiers have been halted final yr as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
India’s efficiency, nevertheless, has since gone south, whereas Qatar, the group topper, moved increased in Thursday’s match.
They defeated Luxembourg (1–0) and Azerbaijan (2–1) and performed a 1–1 draw towards Ireland in worldwide pleasant matches in March.
India are coming into this match after dropping 0-6 towards the United Arab Emirates in a global pleasant in March.
On high of that, India’s preparations have been hit exhausting as they needed to cancel a nationwide camp which was to be held in Kolkata in early May. The group had arrived right here on May 19 to see that the gamers wouldn’t be capable of get the services they needed.
Stimac himself expressed his disappointment, saying it was “not ideal preparation” for the World Cup qualifiers.
On the optimistic facet, Stimac may have an opportunity to subject a full-strength Indian group after a very long time with all the primary gamers out there for choice and with out the concern of harm.
Talisman Sunil Chhetri was lacking as a consequence of viral fever within the 2019 match towards Qatar and his return will certainly increase the boldness of the younger Indian facet.
Chhetri additionally missed two worldwide friendlies in March, together with one towards the United Arab Emirates, as he was recovering from a COVID-19 an infection.
But the Gulf is class between the 2 sides. Qatar is ranked 58th within the FIFA charts as towards India’s one hundred and fifth place.
“Qatar is one of the top teams in Asia. They have had some good results against top European and South American teams in recent times,” mentioned Chhetri.
“The final time we took a degree towards them, we bought extra confidence as a group. We perceive that they are going to take out all weapons blazing at us, and we have to stick collectively as a group. “
In 2019 as effectively, in that draw sport, Qatar dominated the Indian stronghold with waves of assaults. It stood to the credit score of the goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Sandesh Jhingan-led protection to disclaim the Qataris victory.
Currently ranked fourth in Group E with three factors from 5 matches, India are already out of the working for a World Cup berth however are nonetheless in rivalry for the 2023 Asian Cup.
Qatar have gained 5 of their six matches in these qualifiers.
Boasting a lethal attacking line-up with high strikers Almoez Ali and Hasan Al-Haidos, Qatar shall be taking a look at nothing lower than a strong victory.
From India):
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Dheeraj Singh, Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Narender Gehlot, Chinglensana Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Adil Khan, Akash Mishra, Subhashish Bose, Udanta Singh, Brandon Fernandes, Liston Colaco, Rowllin Borges, Glan Martins, Anirudh Thapa, Pronoy Halder, Suresh Singh, Lalengmawia Ralte, Abdul Sahal, Yasir Mohammad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Bipin Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan, Ishan Pandita, Sunil Chhetri, Manvir Singh.
Match begins: 10:30 hrs IST.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
