Pic via AIFF media
Indian Football Team will be back in action this tuesday as they take on Macau in their 3rd game of AFC Asian Cup 2019 qualifiers. This will be the first meeting between the two countries in international football.
India are on top of Group A with 2 wins in 2 matches while Macau are at the bottom of the table losing both their games. Having won 9 of their last 10 international matches anything short of a victory would be a disappointment for India.
Indian Coach Stephen Constantine knows the threat Macau possess and said ”I feel Macau were unlucky against the Kyrgyz Republic when they played away. They should have scored a couple and are a Team who are quite brilliant on the counter attack. I am sure they are ready for us. ”
India will be boosted by the return of striker Sunil Chhetri and goalkeeper Gurpreet Sandhu who missed the recent Tri-Nation Series due to AFC Cup commitments with Bengaluru FC. It was pretty evident in the tri-nation series that India were vulnerable going forward without the services of Chhetri. Udanta Singh who played a big part in India’s victory over Myanmar is also available after missing the last 4 games for India.
Though India managed to win the recent Tri-Nation Series against Mauritius and Saint Kitts and Nevis, the performance from the blue tigers was pretty underwhelming and they will hope to put a solid performance against Macau on tuesday.
India will face Macau again next month and victories in both fixtures will ensure India a birth in the finals of AFC Asian Cup 2019 with two games against Myanmar and Kyrgyzstan remaining.
Macau had a successful AFC Solidarity Cup campaign managing to reach the final of the tournament which help them secure a birth in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
They had a very good first game against Kyrgyzstan who were touted as group favorites managing to lose just 1-0 against them missing some crucial opportunities to score. But Macau were completely outplayed at home by Myanmar who trashed them 4-0 . Their progress to finals of AFC Asian Cup 2019 looks highly unlikely.
Macau have managed 1 win , 4 losses scored 1 goal and conceded 11 in their last 5 games.
FORMATION
India will head into the game with their usual 4-2-3-1 formation with Sunil Chhetri playing behind center forward. Gurpreet Sandhu is expected to guard the posts.
Sandesh Jhingan and Anas will play at the center of the defense along with Pritam Kotal as right back and Narayan Das as a left back. In midfield we can expect to see a lot of changes throughout the game.
Macau might play 4-4-2 or 4-5-1
KEY PLAYERS
India
Sunil Chhetri – To score goals up front India will be dependent on ever relaiable striker. His individual brilliance won India the first two games in the qualifiers.
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu – Gurpreet has cemented his place as India’s no 1 goalkeeper. He has been solid in the qualifiers keeping two cleen sheets in as many games and making some great saves.
Macau
Leong Ka Hang – The 24 year old is probably the best Macau player in recent times. He plays his trade for Hong Kong top division club HK Pegasus and will give Sandesh and Anas a tough fight in defense.
FORM
India – W,W,W,W,D
Macau-W,L,L,L,L
India have managed to win 9 of their last 10 games and have had a great start to the AFC Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers. Macau on the other hand lost 4 of their last 5 matches scoring 1 goals and conceding 11 goals.
MATCH DETAILS
Date : 5th September 2017
Venue : Macau Olympic Complex Stadium
Time : 4:30pm IST
Telecast – Star Sports Network
Live Stream – Hot Star
