International Friendly Preview: Tajikistan vs India

Form Guide

Tajikistan: LWWLW

Despite their inconsistency over the last 18 months, Tajikistan’s record against South Asian teams has been great with three wins in as many games. One of those two defeats in the last five games came against mighty Iran, but it’s the loss against Kyrgyzstan that would remind them not to be complacent.

India: LLWWL

India’s record under Wim Koevermans has been a mixed bag with four wins, one draw and three defeats in eight official matches. But three of those victories have come against lower-ranked teams like Maldives, Chinese Taipei and Guam and they have lost both of their previous two international friendlies.

Team News

Tajikistan

Wim Koevermans is unsure how Tajikistan will play as new coach Mukhamadiev will be making his debut in this game. But since the 46-year-old has retained most of the players from the Afghanistan friendly, the signs are that he will play just one upfront with the experienced Dilshod Vasiev just behind.

One out of Akhtam Khamroqulov, Kamil Saidov or Davronjon Tukhtasunov is likely to get the lone striker role, but Tajikistan will surely be targeting India’s left back as they don’t have a natural player for that position, so Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev will have a key role.

Possible Starting XI: (4-2-3-1) - Alisher Tuychiev; Akhtam Nazarov Sokhib Suvonkulov, Daler Tukhtasunov Eraj Rajabov; Jamshed Ismailov,Khurshed Mahmudov; Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev, Dilshod Vasiev, Jakhongir Jalilov; Akhtam Khamroqulov.

India

Who will start at left back?Photo Credit: AIFF Media

The big decision for Koevermans will be selecting the left back. Denzil Franco or Raju Gaikwad are likely to fill in as the makeshift left back, and it will be interesting to see whether the experienced Gouramangi Singh gets the nod in the starting eleven despite not having too many pre-season training sessions so far.

Jewel Raja did a decent job in the ‘number 10′ role behind Sunil Chhetri in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers, but Koevermans could be tempted to have Lalrindika Ralte on the right flank and thus have the versatile Francis Fernandes in the playmaker role. With the SAFF Cup in mind, Koevermans will surely experiment throughout the game.

Possible Starting XI: (4-4-1-1) – Karanjit Singh; Denzil Franco, Gouramangi Singh, Arnab Mondal, Raju Gaikwad; Lalrindika Ralte, Mehtab Hossain, Lenny Rodrigues, Clifford Miranda; Francis Fernandes; Sunil Chhetri.

Key Men

Tajikistan: Dilshod Vasiev

The 25-year-old will have an extra responsibility in the absence of Yusuf Rabiev to both create and score the chances. Vasiev is expected to play just behind the main striker and would be aiming to match the display of Palestine’s Ashraf Nu’man who destroyed India when given a free role in the international friendly back in February.

India: Sunil Chhetri

The hattrick hero of the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup final against Tajikistan has struggled to produce his best for the nation since his move to Sporting Lisbon ‘B’ last year. But Sunil, who has now joined Bengaluru FC, remains India’s best player and would be aiming to go into the SAFF Cup with a good performance under his belt.