New Delhi: Most coaches would love to avoid Khalid Jamil’s predicament of asking a goal-shy team to score in a must-win game. But such precariously placed is India in their AFC Asian Cup qualifying round that anything other than a win in their return-leg clash against Singapore could bring curtains down to their campaign.
Winless with only one goal in three matches, India (2 points) would need all three points at Margao on Tuesday to retain chances of topping the group led by Hong Kong (7), ahead of Singapore (5), with Bangladesh (1) at the bottom.
India’s chances would have extinguished five days earlier had not they benefitted from Singapore’s defensive mistake for Rahim Ali to capitalise on in the 90th minute.
Returning from the away trip with a point from a 1-1 draw even after being second best for the better part of the match was a ray of hope India returned with, on which they now have to build on with goals and wins.
But with Sandesh Jhinghan suspended for double bookings, Jamil have called up defensive reinforcements in left back Subhasish Bose and holding midfielder Apuia.
Ever the cautious coach, the Indian backline’s struggle to contain Singapore’s swift forwards hasn’t gone unnoticed from Jamil’s eyes, though it is his side’s limpness in and around the opposition penalty area that needs greater attention.
Goals a premium
In his debut as India’s head coach at the CAFA Nations Cup, Jamil used his old trick of picking up goals from set-pieces as they finished third among eight teams.
Benefitting from the same ploy is harder in a competitive international game when on-field goals are few and far between.
Jamil has used several combinations upfront, but even Sunil Chhetri hasn’t looked convincing upfront.
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It is bound to put creases in the forehead of the 48-year-old coach, who has the willingness to battle with available resources after making a name for himself by punching above weight in his domestic club career.
Can he pull a rabbit out of the hat for the national team too? Does he have any ace up his sleeve?
Match Details:
India vs Singapore
Kick-off: 7:30 pm IST
Live streaming on Fancode app and website.