Top 10 matches to watch out for during June international break

From Europe to Asia, there are some pretty exciting matches

With club football coming to a conclusion, it’s time to see the players in action in their international jerseys. Here’s the list of matches that are worth keeping an eye on during the June international break, even if a few of them are friendly.

10. Ecuador vs Bolivia - International friendly

Date & Time: Saturday, 17 June, 11:00 PM (GMT); Sunday, 18 June, 4:30 AM (IST)

Ecuador’s national football team and Bolivia’s national football team meet again two years after the CONMEBOL Preminiaries match, in which Ecuador won 3-0. Ecuador are approaching this clash after a victory over Australia in a friendly match on March 28. However, one part of the Ecuador national football team has trailed behind in terms of reliability—defence. They have been conceding goals for four consecutive matches now.

Bolivia are approaching the match in a good mood as well after claiming a 1-2 win in a friendly match against Saudi Arabia; however, the Bolivian national football team has been performing poorly in defence lately as they have been conceding goals for 10 consecutive away matches now.

9. Japan vs Peru - International friendly

Date & Time: Tuesday, 20 June, 09:55 AM (GMT); Tuesday, 20 June, 3:25 PM (IST)

Japan are approaching the match after a defeat in a friendly with Colombia on March 28 and not being able to win for three straight games. The coach and the players will probably put extra effort into the defence, as they have been conceding goals for seven consecutive matches now.

Peru are going into the fixture after playing a draw against Morocco on March 29. They need to score goals to win this game, which might not be as easy as they have scored zero goals in their previous five away matches.

8. Ecuador vs Costa Rica - International friendly

Date & Time: Wednesday, 21 June, 12:00 AM (GMT); Wednesday, 21 June, 5:30 AM (IST)

Ecuador are approaching this clash after a victory over Australia in a friendly match on March 28. However, one part of the Ecuador national football team has trailed behind in terms of reliability—defence. They have been conceding goals for four consecutive matches now.

Costa Rica, on the other hand, are preparing for the match after a loss against Panama in Nations League League A on March 29. They're going to need to sort out the problems in the back first to improve the results, as they have been conceding goals for three consecutive matches now.

7. Bolivia vs Chile - International friendly

Date & Time: Wednesday, 21 June, 12:00 AM (GMT); Wednesday, 21 June, 5:30 AM (IST)

Bolivia and Chile meet again a year after the World Cup qualifier match, which Chile won 3-2. Bolivia's national football team is approaching this clash after a victory over Saudi Arabia in a friendly match on March 29. However, one part of Bolivia’s national football team has trailed behind in terms of reliability—defence: they have been conceding goals for eight consecutive matches now. Chile are approaching the match in a good mood after securing victories in two straight games against Cuba and Paraguay, extending their unbeaten streak to three matches.

6. India vs Kuwait - SAFF Championship

Date & Time: Tuesday, 27 June, 2:00 PM (GMT); Tuesday, 27 June, 7:30 PM (IST)

India have been drawn in Group A of the SAFF Championship 2023 along with Kuwait, Nepal, and Pakistan. Lebanon and Kuwait are the two teams from outside the South Asian region that are participating via special invitation. Eight teams are set to fight it out for South Asian supremacy in Bengaluru, as the tournament is set to get underway on June 21, with the final on July 4 in Bengaluru. India head coach Igor Stimac reiterated that the competitiveness of the championship will be higher with the addition of the two teams from the Middle East.

5. Germany vs Colombia - International friendly

Date & Time: Tuesday, 20 June, 6:45 PM (GMT); Wednesday, 21 June, 12:15 AM (IST)

Germany are playing Colombia in a friendly match on June 21. Germany will be playing the match after a draw against Ukraine in a friendly match. Colombia are approaching the match in a good mood after claiming a 1-2 win in a friendly match against Japan, extending their unbeaten streak to nine matches.

4. India vs Pakistan - SAFF Championship

Date & Time: Wednesday, 21 June, 2:00 PM (GMT); Wednesday, 21 June, 7:30 PM (IST)

Here’s a treat for Asian fans: the Indian men’s football team was drawn in Group A along with Pakistan, Kuwait, and Nepal for the SAFF Championship 2023 football tournament. India will host the upcoming SAFF Championship. The matches are scheduled to be held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium from June 21 to July 4.

Ranked 101st in the latest FIFA rankings, India are the defending SAFF champions, having won the tournament in 2021 after beating Nepal 3-0 in the final. India are also the most successful team in the regional tournament, having won the title eight times (1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, and 2021). Also to be noted, India have a 5-0 undefeated record against their arch-rivals since 2008.

3. Brazil vs Senegal - International friendly

Date & Time: Tuesday, 20 June, 7:00 PM (GMT); Wednesday, 21 June, 12:30 AM (IST)

This Brazilian team is back in action when they face the visiting side from the African continent. This match will be a good contest between both sides, who have the pace and finishing qualities to neutralise each other. On the one hand, Senegal, after finishing as runners-up in 2019, lost the final 0-1 to Algeria and finally won their first AFCON title in 2021, with Sadio Mane leading the squad to this remarkable victory.

Brazil, on the other hand, have suffered shock World Cup exits and have been unable to come up against their lower-placed opponents. In the last five matches, they have lost twice to African teams like Cameroon and Morocco, whereas Senegal are undefeated while scoring eight and conceding one. It would be a huge surprise if Senegal came up with some resilient football against this mighty nation.

2. Poland vs Germany - International friendly

Date & Time: Friday, 16 June, 6:45 PM (GMT); Saturday, 17 June, 12:15 AM (IST)

These two European neighbours are star-studded sides with huge talent from front to back; however, Germany is the more successful one. Lewandowski, the star for the home side and their record goal scorer will go against his former teammates from Bayern, Sane, and Kimmich.

Both teams have played 20 matches against each other, whereas Germany just steamrolled the Polish team. Poland have just won once in these meetings, which was back in 2014. Before that, Germany won 12 and drew another seven. Both teams come into this match with two wins in five matches, with Germany clinching a last-minute equaliser against a resilient Ukrainian team in a 3-3 draw.

1. Argentina vs Australia - International friendly

Date & Time: Thursday, 15 June, 12:00 AM (GMT); Thursday, 15 June, 5:30 AM (IST)

The Kangaroos travel to face the World Champions in a friendly match with Argentina. With Messi and Co. reaching the pinnacle of national football last winter, where they also faced Australia in the group stage, winning 2-1, Australia will be looking to get a remarkable first-ever win against this side. Both teams have faced each other three times, and the Whites and Blues won all the matches. It will be a good time for them to test out their players and give them minutes under the cap in this friendly.

Argentina's national football team is having a solid run at the moment, winning their matches against Curacao, Panama, France, Croatia, the Netherlands, Australia, Poland, and Mexico, so they'll try to extend their winning streak with a victory over Australia. The recent form of Argentina suggests they are not only hard to stop on the attack but even harder to score against, with the last two matches aggregated at 9-0. With all eyes on Messi, it will be even more of a joy for Australia if they are able to pull off an unlikely upset.