Published on: Jan 6, 2019 3:25 am IST|Updated on: Jan 6, 2019 4:21 pm IST
Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, January 06 at 07:00 PM, IST
The Men In Blue will look to kick start their AFC Asian Cup campaign on a positive note when they take on a challenging Thailand side in their opening fixture on Sunday at the Al Nahyan Stadium. In a country where a willow and a solid piece of leather have dominated the masses, is more worshipped and less played with, a bunch of men playing Football stand challenging that sport to earn some much deserved attention and respect for themselves. Their has been improvement, but their have been very few triumphs to speak of it. The AFC Asian Cup has just come at the right time for Indian Football, considering their form and preparations. Stephen Constantine and his men are not potent title challengers with sides like Australia, South Korea, Iran, and Saudi Arabia in the running, but they know this is their best contingent to ever participate in the AFC Asian Cup. Thailand will be their best chance to put a positive step forward and start their campaign with three points.
Thailand, though lower-ranked to their opponents, are a real threat with their attack. They smashed in an impressive 17 goals in just 6 games in their goal studded AFF Championship campaign that came to an end in the Semi-Finals. India’s defence will face a real test with Thailand’s man in form, Adisak Kraisorn, thumping in goals at will. Thailand will be confident and will likely maintain the same attacking endeavour, but will also be vary of India’s counter attacking abilities and defensive supremacy. Both sides will of course press for all three points, but a draw too would ensure a happy start for both the contingents.
India – 5, Thailand – 11, Draws- 7
India’s last win dates back to 1986.
India – D L D L W W
Thailand – D D W D W W
India Team News
Thailand Team News
India Playing11: Sandhu (GK); Kotal, Jhindan, Edatholika, Bose; Thapa, Halder; Udanta, Chhetri, Narzary; Jeje
Thailand Playing11: Budprow (GK); Promrak,Kerdkaev,Hemviboon, Bunmathan; Puangchan, Dechmitr, Songkrasin; Kraisorn, Dangda, Chatthong
Sunil Chhetri and Sandesh Jhingan are undoubtedly going to be India’s key men while Thailand will be relying on Adisak Kraisorn and Teerasil Dangda.