The Indian football team will lock horns with Macau football team on Tuesday in a crucial AFC Asian Cup 2019 qualifier at the Macau Olympic Complex. While India will look to continue their winning run in the third round qualifying phase of UAE 2019, Macau, on the other hand, will be keen to escape the rut they are in at the moment.
Stephen Constantine's men are on the back of a friendly tri-nation series win, overcoming the likes of Mauritius and St. Kitts & Nevis to lift the title. Macau, meanwhile, suffered disappointment as their friendly on 25th August with Malaysia got cancelled due to typhoon Hato, which has killed at least eight people.
On paper, India are the favourites over their lower ranked opponents, but football can surprise you from time to time. India are 86 places ahead of Macau in the latest FIFA rankings at 97th, while their opponents are stood at 183rd.
Here is all the vital information about the match you need to know:
India vs Macau
Date: 5th September 2017
Start time: 5 PM Indian Standard Time
Venue: Macau Olympic Complex, Macau
Telecast: Star Sports 1, Star Sports HD1
Live streaming, where to watch online: Hotstar, Jio TV
Squads:
India:
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Subrata Paul, Albino Gomes, Pritam Kotal, Lalruatthara, Sandesh Jhingan, Anas Edathodika, Arnab Mondal, Salam Ranjan Singh, Narayan Das, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Udanta Singh, Jackichand Singh, Nikhil Poojary, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Rowllin Borges, Md. Rafique, Germanpreet Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Halicharan Narzary, Lalpekhlua, Sunil Chhetri, Robin Singh, Balwant Singh.
Macau:
He Wenhui, Feng Zhiheng, Zheng Zhenjan, Liu Bajian, Chen, Shenghao, Li Zijian, Li Jiahao, Wu Yu, Cai, Maersk, Li Jia, Lin Yidong, Huang Hualin, Shanyan, Peng Zihen, Linga, He Zifeng, Zhang Haishan, Liang Jiaheng, Amway, Li Jinhong
Tuesday's match will be the first time India have faced Macau in international football history. With the weather set to play a major role in the dynamics of the game, India have their task cut out to make it three wins in three in the third round qualification stage. The Blue Tigers have already beaten Myanmar and Kyrgyzstan by the odd-goal in their previous two matches and would happily take home another similar result against Macau.
Constantine's men are unbeaten since June 2016 - more than a year now - and will look to maintain their momentum ahead of the reverse list of fixtures that start in October.