India vs Cambodia Asia Cup Qualifier Match Preview & Predicted 11
India vs Cambodia Asia Cup Qualifier Match Preview & Predicted 11
India vs Cambodia Preview
Against Wednesday, India takes on Cambodia in the AFC Asian Cup qualifications for 2022. In the first of three qualifying games in their group, the Blue Tigers will take on neighbouring Cambodia. Igor Stimac’s team will also be playing in India for the first time in over three years, after a 1-1 draw with Bangladesh in October 2019.
In the qualifications, Stimac’s team is expected to perform well. To keep their chances of winning the group alive, they need to get out to a solid start. Cambodia may be placed 171 in the FIFA World Rankings, but at this level, there are no pushovers.
Combodia is not an easy opposition. If India wants to defeat Cambodia, India must bring their utmost best to the table. A win here might provide them the push they need to take the lead in the group, but missing points could put them at a disadvantage in their quest for qualification.
India enters this match having played their last 15 games away from home or in neutral locations. The COVID-19 epidemic halted all international matches, but with the return of normalcy, India may once again play on its own soil.
They’ll be playing in Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, where they drew 1-1 with Bangladesh in their previous home encounter. Similarly, they will face a team that is rated lower than them in the FIFA rankings this time.
Before the qualifications, India’s recent loss to Jordan didn’t seem to bode calamity. Jordan is a far better opponent than the ones they’ll be playing next. Stimac, on the other hand, is under pressure to lead his team to some outstanding performances and to win this group.
A win is essential if they are to gain early control of the group. To create a spectacular performance against Cambodia, India would need to feed off the crowd’s energy. This means playing some bold, aggressive football and securing a convincing victory to boost the squad’s confidence.
India vs Cambodia Team
India’s Predicted XI: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Pritam Kotal, Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali, Subhasish Bose; Suresh Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad; Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco; Sunil Chhetri (C).
Cambodia Predicted XI: Keo Soksela (GK); Boris Kok, Tes Sambath, Soeuy Visal (C), Ken Chansopheak; Thierry Bin, Orn Chanpolin, Sos Suhana; Mat Noron, Keo Sokpheng; Sieng Chanthea.