One of the explanations the 2023 SAFF Championship welcomed two West Asian sides in Kuwait and Lebanon was to make the event extra aggressive. India, in spite of everything, had gained eight of the previous 13 editions, and the presence of a few evenly matched groups would definitely brighten up proceedings.
The India – Kuwait recreation on Tuesday match the billing, and India practically edged the competition earlier than an unlucky personal objective denied it a well-known win. On Saturday on the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, the hope is for one more feisty encounter because the hosts will look to place one throughout Lebanon within the semifinals.
Recent historical past means that India has the sting, having overwhelmed Lebanon within the Intercontinental Cup ultimate a fortnight in the past and drawn the opposite group stage recreation in Bhubaneswar. Form-wise, India can take coronary heart from the efficiency towards Kuwait the place it was the higher crew for big chunks of the match.
India pressed excessive up the pitch, attacked in droves and transitioned excellently from defence to offence. Sunil Chhetri up entrance, the wingers in Ashique Kuruniyan and Lallianzuala Chhangte, and the defenders in Akash Mishra and Anwar Ali have been all wonderful.
However, towards Lebanon, Chhetri & Co. should do with out Sandesh Jhingan in defence and head coach Igor Stimac on the touchline. The towering Jhingan, who performed a pivotal position within the 1-1 draw towards Kuwait, is suspended after choosing up his second yellow card. Stimac is banned after his second purple in as many matches.
That Lebanon might be eager to avenge the Intercontinental Cup loss will add spice. The Aleksandar Ilic-coached outfit topped Group-B with three wins out of three and the Serbian’s promise of “Total Football” indicated that his wards will play to win.
“There are no secrets any more [between the teams],” declared Ilic, on Friday. “We are really motivated and I am pushing my players psychologically to make them believe we can succeed. It will be very important that we score the first goal. That will help us end the semifinal in a positive way.”
