High on motivation, Blue Tigers ready to face Singapore

The last time an Indian side met Singapore, it was a clash of their U23 sides at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China and the match finished 4-1 in favour of the Indians. However, with a number of key Singaporean internationals missing from the encounter, it hardly stays an accurate comparison of the footballing talent of the two countries.

Tomorrow, as a highly motivated Indian outfit takes on a determined Singaporean one, it promises to be a tense game. While the Indian side is on a high, following their miraculous win over Cameroon, Singapore are using the match as practice for the AFF Suzuki Cup.

Indian Team News

Speaking at the pre-match press conference at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore, the Indian gaffer Wim Koevermans felt that Singapore would present a good challenge to his side.

I’m very pleased to be here, and to be presented with an opportunity to play against Singapore. They are a strong opposition, and it is another step for us to improve ourselves. I will be looking forward to a good match.

Photo:FAS

He also stated that his ultimate goal was to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup in 2015, and he would be happy with nothing less than a win.

Our main aim stays to qualify for the 2015 Asian Cup……we play every game intending to win it and we will want to win this too. But as I said, it’s not easy.

India’s custodian Subrata Paul believes that playing Singapore on a FIFA Matchday is a step in the right direction, and could see India climb the FIFA Rankings ladder.

I need to thank the All India Football Federation for arranging the International Friendly against Singapore. We need to play on all FIFA Dates without fail for the next 18 months. If we play that regularly, I guarantee you, we will surely be below 100 in the FIFA Rankings.

The Indian squad remains mostly unchanged from their Nehru Cup victory with the only change coming in the form of Goan striker Joaquim Abranches replacing the injured Manandeep Singh. The wonder duo of Jeje Lalpekhlua and Lalrindika Ralte have yet again failed to impress the Dutchman Wim Koevermans despite the former having scored in both his I-League games.

While the Indian gaffer has yet to announce his starting XI, Subrata Paul will almost undoubtedly start under the bar for the Blue Tigers. The defence too, will probably remain unchanged from the Nehru Cup victory over Cameroon with Gouramangi Moriangthem and Raju Gaikwad as the main stoppers, while Nirmal Chhetri and Syed Rahim Nabi will most likely man the wingback positions. Lenny Rodriguez and Mehtab Hossain will probably start as the defensive midfielders, while Arthur Papas’ revelation Alwyn George should get the start behind the striker. Clifford and Sanju should start on the left and right flanks while Captain Sunil Chhetri will start up front as the lone striker.

The final 20-man squad for India:

GOALKEEPERS: Subrata Pal, Subhasish Roychowdhury, Karanjeet Singh.

DEFENDERS: Nirmal Chhetri, Denzil Franco, Gouramangi Singh, Gurwinder Singh, Raju Gaikwad, Syed Rahim Nabi.

MIDFIELDERS: Lenny Rodrigues, Mehtab Hossain, Jewel Raja, Francis Fernandes, Alwyn George, Anthony Pereira, Sanju Pradhan, Clifford Miranda.

FORWARDS: Robin Singh, Sunil Chhetri, Joaquim Abranches.

Last 5 games :

India 3 – 2 Cameroon, India 0 – 1 Cameroon, India 0 – 0 Nepal, India 3 – 0 Maldives, India 2 – 1 Syria

Singapore Team News

While their South Asian counterparts have had a good run of form, Singapore seem to be going through a shocking run of games, losing to unfancied Phillipines at home, and playing out a draw to Myanmar away. Their coach Radojko Avramovic will have his task cut-out against the new look India side as this stays a vital cog in the South East nation’s AFF Suzuki Cup preparation.

Speaking at the pre-match conference at the Jalan Besar Stadium, Avramovic said,

Singapore coach Radojko Avramovic addressing the press at the Jalan Besar Stadium. Photo :FAS

India’s improving, especially in last Asian Cup, where they played good games. They have about 6 players from that squad here. We need to stop them. One of those who we have to stop, is this guy here! (referring to Sunil who was at the press conference)

Centre back Baihakki Khaizan was confident of his team, and felt that they could win.

This is one of the games we should start playing, and I hope to play more to help our preparations for the Suzuki Cup. The tournament is the chance for us to put our past disappointments behind and this could have a positive effect.

The Singaporean Lions will be without the services of captain Shahril Ishak, Sevki Sha’ban, Safirul Sulaiman, Qiu Li and Agu Casmir, who are all injured. However, if one thing is a certainty, it is that their talismanic Bosnian born striker Olympian striker will be an aerial threat to the Indian defence.

The players available for selection are as follows:

GOALKEEPRS: Izwan Mahbud, Hyrulnizam Juma’at , Joey Sim

DEFENDERS: Baihakki Khaizan, Shaiful Esah, Irwan Shah, Safuwan Baharudin,Daniel Bennett, Jufri Taha

MIDFIELDERS: Fazli Ayob, Shi Jiayi, Hariss Harun, Isa Halim, Yasir Hanapi, Shahdan Sulaiman , Mustafic Fahrudin

FORWARDS: Agu Casmir, Khairul Amri, Shahril Ishak, Fazrul Nawaz , Aleksandar Duric

Last 5 games :

Myanmar 1-1 Singapore, Singapore 0-2 Phillipines, Singapore 2-0 Hong Kong, Malaysia 2-0 Singapore, Singapore 2-2 Malaysia.

The match is slated for kick off at 7:45 Local Time at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium.

Ticketing

Date: Tuesday, 16^th October 2012

Time: 5.00 pm onwards

Venue: Choa Chu Kang Stadium

Pricing: S$10 (Adult), *S$2 (Concession – Student/ Senior Citizen)

*Students (Primary, Secondary, ITE, JC Students Only) and Senior Citizens have to produce their concession passes upon entry into the stadium. Concession tickets are also applicable to children aged 7 and below whom require a seat in the stadium.*Please note that there will be a seating allocation for both Home and Away fans.*Please be reminded that fans are required to present their photo identification card upon purchasing match tickets.