Mongolia, the lowest-ranked staff within the Intercontinental Cup, will look to construct on its valiant defensive show, hoping for a miracle to make it to the ultimate on June 18.
The Blue Wolves have odds stacked towards them, with a loss and a draw to its title, however are mathematically nonetheless within the race, forward of their conflict towards Vanuatu within the Kalinga Stadium on Thursday.
To qualify, Mongolia must beat Vanuatu and end with the next objective distinction (GD) than that of Lebanon whereas the Cedars must lose to India.
Mongolia sits third with a objective distinction of -2 whereas Lebanon is second at +2. In case each groups get stage on objective distinction, the objective scored and targets conceded will probably be taken under consideration, provided that their head-to-head was a draw.
Points desk
| Position | Team | Matches | Won | Drew | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| 1 | India (H) (Qualified) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| 2 | Lebanon | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | Mongolia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 1 |
| 4 | Vanuatu | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
Ichiro Otsuka’s aspect began an virtually new aspect (10 adjustments from the earlier match) in its conflict towards Lebanon and can hope to deliver its prodigy Ganbayar Ganbold again into the beginning XI.
Ganbold, the primary participant from his nation to signal for a European aspect (Puskas Academia in 2018) had proven promise within the first recreation however had little impression within the second, approaching in its place. In what may be its final recreation, Mongolia would look to have the No. 7 upfront.
Vanuatu, then again, will probably be enjoying only for delight, with its loss to India eliminating it from the match.
It seemed to have learnt from its mistake of subbing off captain Brian Kaltack early (vs Lebanon within the first recreation), with the defender enjoying the whole 90 minutes towards India.
Though Brian, together with Jason Thomas has been stable on the again, the dearth of man-marking throughout set-pieces has made the staff endure, conceding three of its 4 targets from crosses within the final two video games.
Forward Alex Saniel, who was Vanuatu’s solely ray of hope, when it comes to attacking risk towards India, would be the goal man for the ultimate recreation as properly.
“The most important thing I can say is that we are here to change our FIFA ranking. This is one of our objectives in this tournament, but we will continue to play until we finish,” Etienne Mermer advised the media.
“Last match is with Mongolia and I believe we will continue to play good football. If lucky, we will beat Mongolia in the last game.”
On the opposite hand, Mongolia will want extra than simply luck – a bag stuffed with targets and a balanced method, each in entrance and on the again, in distinction to its typical defensive plan of a five-man back-line to date within the match.
That would be the key battle within the recreation – a determined aspect seeking to capitalise on its extraordinarily slender chance of constructing it to the ultimate towards an eradicated aspect preventing for its very first level in its final recreation within the match.
