SAFF Championship 2023: India, Kuwait fight for Group A pole position

Both sides are already in the knockout stages after winning their first two games.

The quest to win Group A of the 2023 SAFF Championship will see tournament favourites Kuwait and India clash at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore on 27 June 2023. Igor Stimac and his side are already in the knockout stages after winning their games against Pakistan and Nepal. Similarly, their upcoming opponents have also secured a place in the semis by winning their opening two fixtures in a convincing manner.

INDIA VS KUWAIT: LIVE UPDATES

In what is set to be an entertaining clash between two in-form teams, pressure will be on the Indian side despite having the support of fans inside the stadium. Kuwait is one of the two teams who were invited to participate at the 2023 SAFF Championship and have the calibre to hand the hosts a defeat.

As the fixture creeps closer with every passing minute, here is what to expect from the India vs Kuwait game in Group A of the 2023 SAFF Championship: 

The Stakes

India

India has a streak of eight clean sheets in a row heading into the fixture against Kuwait. It serves to depict the kind of form they are in. However, as the qualification into the knockout stages is already secured, the coaching staff may opt to make a few changes to the starting line-up and give game-time to fringe players of the squad while resting key players like Sunil Chhetri. 

As winning the group has a positive effect on morale, India will aim for the win for sure. It will be a good opportunity for bench warmers to make an impact and deliver for the national team.

Kuwait

Kuwait are an invited team at the tournament and the third-highest men’s football team (in the competition) in terms of FIFA Rankings at 143. They are already in the knockout stages as expected by several experts before the 2023 SAFF Championship began. 

Despite India having the backing of the fans, the Al-Azraq will aim to cause an upset and finish as group winners to get a favourable fixture in the next round.  

Team News & Injuries

The current squads of Kuwait and India are injury-free.

Head-to-head

India and Kuwait have locked horns thrice before this encounter.

India wins - 1

Kuwait wins - 2

Draws- 0

Also Read: India vs Kuwait: All-time head-to-head record

Predicted Line-ups

India (4-2-3-1)

Amrinder Singh (GK), Nikhil Poojary, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose, Jeakson Singh, Rohit Kumar, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Sahal Abdul Samad, Ashique Kuruniyan Rahim Ali.

Kuwait (4-2-3-1)

Al-Saanoun, Al-Bloushi, Hajiah, Al-Enezi, Muhaisen, Khalaf, Al-Enezi, Al-Rashidi, Dashti, Al-Faneeni, Al-Awadi

Player to Watch

Sahal Abdul Samad (India)

Sahal Abdul Samad is the first-choice in the No. 10 role for the Indian team. His intricate passing and combination play makes the attacking department tick.

The attacking midfielder possesses incredible control of the ball and can create scoring chances in tricky situations. He is immense for the Blue Tigers in regards to unlocking tight defences and feeding the forwards with scrumptious through balls.

Mobarak Al-Faneeni (Kuwait)

Kuwait have plenty of impressive players that can deliver difference-making individual performances. However, one of their key players is Mobarak Al-Faneeni. The versatile attacking winger has two goals in the 2023 SAFF Championship and will aim to build on this statistc.

Indian defenders need to be wary of his pace and not allow him any space in the goalmouth area. He also provided the assist for the first goal for Kuwait against Pakistan in the 4-0 win.

Did You Know?

• India and Kuwait have never drawn a game.
• India has secured eight clean sheets in a row heading into the game against Kuwait.
• The only team yet to concede a goal in the 2023 SAFF Championships is India.
• India are undefeated in 12 games on Indian soil.

https://twitter.com/IndianFootball/status/1673239951725715463?s=20

Telecast

The India vs Kuwait game will be played at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. Kick-off is at 7:30 PM on 27 June 2023. The live stream of the game will be available on the FanCode app. DD Bharati will broadcast the match.