Tri-Nation Cup, India vs St Kitts & Nevis preview: Blue Tigers eye 10th straight win
Mumbai: After winning their opening encounter 2-1 against Mauritius, Stephen Constantines Team India are all geared up to take on St Kitts and Nevis in the final game of the Hero Tri-Nation Football tournament on Thursday. The Blue Tigers are on a nine match winning streak after beating Mauritius 2-1 and will be looking to make it 10-in-a-row against the island nation.
The tournament has been organised to prepare national side for Asian Cup qualifiers against Macau on 5 September. The tournament also saw Constantine testing bench strength by giving debut caps to under-23 players Manvir Singh, Nikhil Poojari and goalkeeper Amrinder Singh.
In absence of regular skipper and talismanic striker Sunil Chettri along with goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, defender Sandesh Jhingan was handed the captain's armband for the tournament.
The Indian defence looked nervous against Mauritius in their opening match, conceding a goal 15 minutes into the match.
The match against St Kitts provides Constantine with a chance to cover up the defensive problems and ensure that the team plays an attacking brand of football. Captain Sandesh Jhingan will once again be leading the back four alongside Anas Edathodika, Narayan Das and Pritam Kotal and will ensure to put a sturdy performance in the back four.
The midfield is expected to be the same and will be marshalled by Eugeneson Lyngdoh alongside Rowllin Borges with Jackichand Singh and Holicharan Narzary wreaking havoc on the flanks. The goal scoring burden once again falls on shoulders of Jeje Lalpheklhua, Robin Singh, Balwant Singh and youngster Manvir Singh upfront.
On the other hand, St Kitts and Nevis were held to a 1-1 draw by lower-ranked Mauritius in their opening encounter on Tuesday. After drawing the first game, St Kitts would like to put up an inspired show against the favourites.
St Kitts & Nevis coach Jacques Passy also conceded that India are a formidable side compared to them. "They (India) are absolute favourites to win the tournament. It is no more a three-nation, but a two-nation tournament. Our focus is on India," Passy said.
