In the bid to register their first win of the joint qualification tournament of FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC Asia Cup 2023, India will take on Afghanistan in a Group E match on Thursday.
Afghanistan vs India, FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers: Match Details
Date: November 14, 2019
Time: 7:30 PM
Venue: Central Republican Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Afghanistan vs India, FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers: Match Preview
The Blue Tigers have plied their trades in three matches so far and are placed fourth in the five-team group courtesy of their two points.
However, the Blue Tigers should be cursing their stars for not filling their kitty with at least two wins so far.
India came closest to win in the first game of the qualifiers where they were leading over Oman till the 80th minute before two late strikes snatched victory from the jaws of the Blue Tigers.
The third and the last match against Bangladesh was touted as their best chance for a win. Playing in front of a packed Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, the Sunil Chhetri-led side produced a dismal performance to somehow manage a draw against a lower-ranked Bangladeshi team.
The second, and the only away game so far, against Qatar saw the Indian rise way above their ranks and produce a world-class display to hold the Asian champions to a goalless draw.
The Indian team would be thus hoping to take some inspiration from their last trip and produce a favourable result against Afghanistan in the tough condition of Dushanbe.
Afghanistan, with one win and two defeats, stand one spot above India in the points table. Due to security concerns, the middle-east nation chose Dushanbe as their home which many feel was a strategic decision.
The tough conditions and the astro-turf at the Central Republican Stadium was deliberately chosen by the Afghanistan team to make the lives of their opponent harder.
“The match is scheduled on an artificial turf which our players are not used to. Afghanistan have chosen the venue to make others’ life difficult and we have an uphill task in front of us to overcome it,” India head coach Igor Stimac was quoted as saying by PTI on Tuesday.
The decision was proven right in the first home game itself as they defeated Bangladesh 1-0. However, the Afghans have displayed a very shaky defensive performance and conceded nine goals in their two away defeats.
Afghanistan vs India, FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers: Team News
India: The forward line consisting of Sunil Chhetri, Anirudh Thapa, Ashique Kruniyan and Udanta Singh are expected to remain unchanged.
Comeback man Pranoy Halder could be an addition in the midfield, replacing most probably Manvir Singh, beside Sahal Abdul Samad.
Without the service of the leading centre-back Sandesh Jhingan, who underwent a surgery and is a long-term absentee, Stimac might add Subhasish Bose in place of Mandar Rao Desai at the left-back position.
The remaining three consisting of Anas Edathodika, Adil Khan and Rahul Bheke should hold to their position.
Afghanistan: Afghanistan coach Anoush Dastgir, who likes the 4-2-3-1 or the 4-5-1 formation, is expected to play a strong midfield keeping in mind India’s desperation for goals and victory.
The 29-year-old might also take inspiration from Bangladesh who with a strong midfield and deep defensive tactics deserted India.
Much will depend on how players like Zubayr Amiri, Haroon Amiri and Farshad Noor perform.
Amiri is a known face to the Indians as he has tried his luck in the Indian Super League franchisee Mumbai City FC and is currently with I-League club Gokulam Kerala FC.
He is the most experienced player of his side with 48 international caps. Noor, on the other hand, is a product of PSV Eindhoven and presently plays at Cypriot first division club Nea Salamis.
Afghanistan vs India, FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers: Probable Starting XI
India: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Rahul Bheke, Adil Khan, Anas Edathodika, Subhasish Bose, Pronay Halder, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Udanta Singh, Sunil Chhetri, Ashique Kuruniyan.
Afghanistan: Ovays Azizi; Hassan Amin, Haroon Fakhruddin Amiri, Najim Haidary, Farzad Ataee; Noor Husin, Adam Najem, Farshad Noor, Norlla Amiri, Faysal Shayesteh; Zubayr Amiri.
Afghanistan vs India, FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers: Head-to-Head
India: 6
Afghanistan: 1
Draw: 1