7:30 PM: Hello everyone and welcome to Khel Now’s LIVE COVERAGE of the India Vs Cambodia match in AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. The kick-off is just an hour away! I’m your host Uttiyo Sarkar, and I’ll be keeping you company through what promises a fascinating evening of football.
Read: India Vs Cambodia Preview
India Vs Cambodia: Build-Up
Expectations are relatively high for Stimac’s side in the qualifiers. To keep the predictions of them winning the group in the right direction, they must start off strongly. Cambodia might be ranked 171 in the FIFA World Rankings, but there are no pushovers at this level.
India have to bring their very best to the table to overwhelm Cambodia. A win can be the perfect boost they need to lead the group, but dropping points can pose unnecessary hurdles in their qualification journey.
India comes into this game after having played their last 15 consecutive games away from home or in neutral venues. The COVID-19 pandemic stopped any international matches from taking place, but a sense of normality means India can again play on home turf.
They’ll be playing at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata – in which they played their last home game — a 1-1 draw against Bangladesh. Similarly, this time they also face a side that is lower-ranked than them in the FIFA rankings.
India’s loss to Jordan recently didn’t really spell disaster before the qualifiers. Jordan are a much more quality opposition than the ones they’ll be facing next. But Stimac is under pressure of guiding his side to produce some stellar performances and win this group.
For them to take early control of the group, a win is an absolute necessity. India have to bounce off the energy of the crowd to produce a scintillating performance against Cambodia. That includes playing some brave, attacking football and getting a dominant win to raise the confidence levels in the squad.
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