India will lock horns with hosts Vietnam in yet another friendly contest at Ho Chi Minh City’s Thong Nhat Stadium on Tuesday, September 27. This will be the second game for both sides in this tournament.
Match Preview
India started with a 1-1 draw against a lower-ranked Singapore side. Although the Blue Tigers looked much better than Singapore in the match, they were unlucky to concede a goal that came through a deflection off the defenders during a freekick. However, India were guilty of squandering many scoring chances as well and hence, they will be eager to do better with their finishing in this contest.
Vietnam, who are ranked 97th in the FIFA rankings, aren’t going to make life easy for India. They are coming into this match on the back of a strong 4-0 win against Singapore and they will be motivated to deliver an equally good performance in this match. The FIFA rankings suggest that Vietnam are a superior side as compared to India and they will look to play like one on Tuesday.
Possible Starting Line-ups
India
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK); Naorem Roshan Singh, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Akash Mishra; Anirudh Thapa, Jeakson Singh; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco; Ashique Kuruniyan, Sunil Chhetri (C).
Vietnam
Dang Van Lam (GK); Bui Tien Dung (C), Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Chau Ngoc Quang, Nguyen Van Quyet, Nguyen Quang Hai, Ho Tan Tai, Pham Tuan Hai, Phan Tuan Tai, Nham Mang Dung, Tran Dinh Trong
Key Players
Sunil Chhetri
The veteran forward will not only lead India but will also play a crucial role in all of their attacks. Chhetri was the one who served up an all-important assist to Ashique Kuruniyan to help the Blue Tigers equalise in the match against Singapore and he will have to play an equally influential role in this contest to give India a chance of doing well.
Nguyen Quang Hai
He is one of Vietnam’s best players and opposing defenders find it very difficult to contain the attacking midfielder. Quang Hai has already made 44 appearances for the national side and has 10 goals to his name along with five assists as well.
Prediction
India came up with a strong defensive show against Singapore and they can be expected to do so against Vietnam once again. But the hosts are also a quality attacking side and will test India’s defense continuously. With quality players on both sides of the pitch, this game might well end in a 1-1 or 2-2 draw.
