King's Cup: India, Lebanon battle for third-place finish

India and Lebanon have a equal head-to-head tally against each other.

The Indian football team are poised to take on Lebanon in the third-place game at the King’s Cup 2023 on Sunday, September 10. The Blue Tigers suffered an unfortunate loss in the penalty shootout against Iraq in their previous game, but are aiming to salvage a respectable finish against the Cedars.

Igor Stimac is well aware of how this game can be an opportunity for his side to not only add another win to their tally, but also get some valuable points that can influence their place in the FIFA World Rankings. Lebanon, however, will be no easy feat and are gunning for revenge after losing their past two games against the Blue Tigers.

The Stakes

India

Igor Stimac’s side produced one of their best performances of 2023 in the loss to Iraq. Despite not having key players like Sunil Chhetri or Lallianzuala Chhangte in the team, the Blue Tigers still rocked the Lions of Mesopotamia with some incisive football and impressive defensive work. They were ultimately undone in the penalty shootout but were arguably the better side across the 90 minutes.

The Blue Tigers will now look to bounce back from the loss by getting a win over Lebanon. They’ve already had the Cedars’ number by defeating them twice at home this year, and will aim to do the same in a neutral venue.

Stimac just needs his side to maintain the same intensity and unpredictability from the last game to terrorize the Cedars. However, if the Indian players let their guards down and become complacent, then Lebanon can make them pay. A loss can be extremely bitter after the previous performance and can also impact the FIFA ranking point, so the players must treat this as a final to get a necessary win.

https://youtu.be/my3y4vk9uA8

Lebanon

Lebanon suffered a bitter loss to hosts Thailand in their King’s Cup semi-final as well, meaning they will also look to salvage something in the upcoming clash. They have found it very hard to oust India in recent encounters, losing two games earlier this year.

However, the Cedars have approached this tournament with a few fresh faces and a different approach. They have been able to discover what are India’s strengths and weaknesses in the recent games and will look to use that expertise to torment them this time around.

Another loss for Lebanon against India can be extremely gutting for them and pose a nervy sign ahead of the AFC Asian Cup. A win, however, will indicate that they’ve learnt from their mistakes and are getting better with every game.

Injury & Team News

India will be sweating on the fitness of forward Lallianzuala Chhangte, who missed the last game due to some issue. Also, Ashique Kuruniyan and Rahim Ali will not be starting, as per Igor Stimac's words in the pre-match press conference.

Lebanon have a fully fit unit available for this one. But Aleksandar Ilic will rest some players due to their tiredness.

Head-to-Head

India have faced off against Lebanon nine times in competitive football, with their first game taking place in the 1977 President’s Cup – which they won by a 4-2 margin. The Blue Tigers have also won their last two games against the Cedars, which include a 2-0 win in the Intercontinental Cup final and a 0-0 (4-2) win in the SAFF Championship semi-final.

Before that, however, the Cedars had their number in competitive football – defeating India on three occasions in the six matches after their first-ever match together.

All-time Head-to-Head tally: Read here

Predicted Line-ups

India (4-2-3-1)

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Nikhil Poojary, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Akash Mishra, Jeakson Singh, Suresh Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Manvir Singh, Rahul KP

Lebanon (4-2-3-1)

Mehdi Khalil (GK), Hussein Zein, Walid Shour, Maher Sabra, Kassem El Zein, Hasan Srour, Bassel Jradi, Hassan Maatouk, Ali Al Haj, Daniel Lajud, Karim Darwich

Player to Watch

Naorem Mahesh Singh (India)

Naorem Mahesh Singh has had an incredible rise to prominence in the Indian team and already looks to be a certain starter for years to come. He showed incredible awareness and quality to score the opener against Iraq and was a constant threat, be it with his movement or crossing ability.

Singh will look to maintain his impressive form against Lebanon, tormenting their defenders with his unpredictability and getting into all the key areas in the final third. He’ll look to be more creative by sending in inviting balls into the box and also get into the empty pockets of spaces to finish off chances clinically.

Daniel Lajud (Lebanon)

If India have a few troublesome wingers, Lebanon also have a terrorizing one in the form of Daniel Lajud. The 24-year-old plays for Mexican top-division club Atlante and has been in a hot streak of form for the club over the last year. Indeed, he contributed to 13 goals (10goals, three assists) last season and has already scored three goals in seven appearances in this current campaign.

Lajud is a menacing figure in the final third, as he loves to burst into the box and test goalkeepers with his vicious shots. He can create chances with his impressive crossing ability and can trouble the Indian backline with his unpredictable final product.

Did you know?

• India’s 2-0 win over Lebanon in the Intercontinental Cup final earlier this year helped them break a 71-year-old clean sheet record, as that win marked their sixth consecutive clean sheet in competitive games.
• Daniel Lajud is actually a Mexican-born citizen who is playing for Lebanon after obtaining their passport last year.
• India’s loss to Iraq in the penalty shootout in the King's Cup semi-final marked the first time they lost a shootout since 1997. Back then too, the loss came against Iraq in the Nehru Cup semi-final.

Telecast

The King’s Cup third-place clash between India and Lebanon will take place on Sunday, 10 September at the 700th Anniversary Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand. It will kick off at 4:00 PM IST and will be telecasted on Eurosport TV Channel. The game will also be available to stream on FIFA+.