Bengaluru: India’s Head Coach Khalid Jamil has included veteran striker Sunil Chhetri in the squad for the AFC Asia Cup qualifier against Singapore on October 9, signalling the importance of the fixture. Chhetri returns to the team alongside Sandesh Jhingan, who comes back from injury, bringing leadership and defensive stability.
India’s Group C challenge
India currently sits at the bottom of Group C, having collected just one point from two matches, while Singapore leads the group with four points. Only the group winners will advance to the 2027 tournament in Saudi Arabia, making the upcoming back-to-back fixtures against Singapore decisive for India’s campaign.
Chhetri was rested during the recent CAFA National Cup, where India finished third, but his return injects experience into a struggling forward line that has been short of goals. The team has been in training at Bengaluru since September 20 before heading to Singapore, with the return leg scheduled for October 14 at Goa’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Squad composition and tactical setup
Jamil has opted for a 23-man travelling squad, including three goalkeepers—Amrinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. The defensive unit features Jhingan alongside Anwar Ali, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Muhammed Uvais, Pramveer, and Rahul Bheke.
In midfield, India will rely on creativity from Brandon Fernandes and Saha Abdul Samad, while pace will be provided by Udanta Singh Kumam. Attacking options include Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco, and Farukh Choudhary, supporting Chhetri. Goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari and forward Muhammed Suhail have been kept on standby for the home leg, offering tactical flexibility.
Key challenges and strategies
The first fixture at Singapore’s National Stadium will test India’s ability to perform under hostile conditions and passionate home support. Coach Jamil has emphasised patience and tactical discipline as essential for navigating these challenges.
With a narrow margin for error, India must convert promise into results. Chhetri’s leadership, Jhingan’s defensive solidity, and the speed of the wide players could prove decisive in securing crucial points.
Conclusion
The return leg in Goa on October 14 will provide India a chance to leverage home advantage and secure qualification. For the Blue Tigers, the next few matches are critical in turning their Asia Cup aspirations into reality, and the presence of Chhetri and Jhingan underscores the high stakes of the encounter.