India faces Kenya for title
India will for the umpteenth time look up to the talismanic Sunil Chhetri and a stadium packed to the brim with emotionally-charged fans for inspiration as it faces Kenya in the summit showdown of the Intercontinental Cup here on Sunday.
By : migrator
Update: 2018-06-09 13:56 GMT
Mumbai
The world's third leading scorer, Chhetri has so far found the back of the net in each of the three games, including a hat-trick against Chinese Taipei and a brace against Kenya.
The tournament is being used by host India as a preparatory ground for the AFC Asian Cup, to be held in January next year, and a win in the final will surely boost its confidence going ahead.
India had blanked Kenya 3-0 in the league game at the Mumbai Football Arena, which was skipper Chhetri's 100th appearance in national colours. And the India captain made the game memorable by scoring a brace.
It will look to replicate the performance of its league game against the African side again in the summit clash, which the organisers have claimed to be a 'sold out' match.
The host is the side to beat in this tournament as it has throughout played an aggressive brand of football.
But the Stephen Constantine coached team cannot take Kenya lightly as it has defeated New Zealand 2-1 and blanked Chinese Taipei 4-0.
Constantine will ensure that his best playing XI will take the field on Sunday after his strategy of making seven changes initially in the game against New Zealand backfired as the team lost 2-1.
For India, all eyes will again be on Chhetri, who has 62 goals to his credit and will look to add to his tally.
He and the experienced Jeje Lalpekhlua can pose challenge to any strong defence and Kenya's would be no exception.
India also boasts of an array of decent midfielders like Udanta Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Pranay Halder and Halicharan Narzary. They will have to play their roles to perfection if the physically strong Kenyan strikers are to be tamed.
At the back, India have experienced defenders like Sandesh Jhingan and Pritam Kotal. Add to it the likes of Subhasish Bose, and the host can make Kenya's life pretty difficult.
And goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who was benched in the last game, will be back in action. He will have to surely be at his best.
On the other hand, Kenya would have bolstered its confidence after it drubbed Chinese Taipei, and will look to spoil India's party.
Kenya coach Sebastian Migne would want his two main strikers -- Ovella Ochieng and Pistone Mutamba -- to go all guns blazing.
While Kenya will seek to take avenge its humiliating loss in the league stage, the home team will look to end the tournament that witnessed an outpouring of emotions after Chhetri's impassioned plea asking fans to turn up for India games, on a positive note.
India squad:
GOALKEEPERS: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith.
DEFENDERS: Pritam Kotal, Anas Edathodika, Salam Ranjan Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Lalruatthara, Narayan Das, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Subhasish Bose.
MIDFIELDERS: Udanta Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan, Rowllin Borges, Anirudh Thapa, Pronay Halder, Md. Rafique, Halicharan Narzary, Laldanmawia Ralte. FORWARDS: Sunil Chhetri, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Balwant Singh, Alen Deory.
Match starts at 8 p.m
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