India to play Kuwait tomorrow

Indian team will be playing against Kuwait tomorrow at Al-Wahda Stadium, Abu Dhabi (UAE) at IST 1930 hrs.

Indian team will be coming fresh from a defeat just 3 days ago against the Asian Cup holders Iraq while the Kuwait team managed a win against Vietnam, a month ago. Though the Kuwait team is ranked 103, they are certainly no pushovers with the quality they have got in their squad.

India will be facing an uphill task this time too as several of their key players are out due to injuries. While Star striker Sunil Chhetri is yet to become fully fit for the match and might not be available for selection, Bhaichung Bhutia, Sameer Naik, N.P.Pradeep, Subhasish Roy Chowdhury and Arindam Bhattacharya are still recovering from their respective injuries.

This means that the team might be same as against the Iraqis.So the possible starting Line-up is:

Goalkeeper:Subrata Paul

Defence:Surkumar Singh, Gouramangi Singh, Anwar and Rahim Nabi

Midfield:Rakesh Masih(MC),Steven Dias(RWM), Climax Lawrence(CM) and Anthony Pereira(LWM)

Forwards:Abhishek Yadav, Sushil Kumar Singh

Mohammed Rafi and Mahesh Gawli who got some match play time against Iraq in the last match, are also expected to get some time on the pitch against the Kuwait side.

Prior to the match Indian team has received a massive boost when Cardiff City and Ex-Sunderland striker Michael Chopra desired his wish to play for India and for that matter will be flying to Dubai to have a discussion with National team Coach Bob Houghton along with his agents. He is expected to watch the match against Kuwait.

While the junior side have done a tremendous job to reach the last 16 of the Asian Games 2010, they(U23 side) were comprehensively beaten by the Kuwait U23 in the league stages. The senior side will be hoping to turn the tables towards their favor and salvage a win.

Looks worried..And why shouldn't he be!!

Bob Hougton will be hoping that his team does not to do the same errors from the Team which they did last time around against Iraq. Players like Surkumar Singh, Abhishek Yadav and Renedy Singh will have to shift up their level to force a victory from the team. While the Indian defence did a commendable job last time. Their attacking department looked weak without the likes of Sunil Chhetri and Baichung Bhutia.