Singapore vs India lineups, team news, prediction & preview | AFC Asian Cup qualifiers

The Blue Tigers are yet to register a win in the qualifiers.

India, under the newly appointed head coach Khalid Jamil, will try to revive their AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign when they lock horns with Singapore on Thursday. A lot has changed in Indian Football since the last qualifier against Hong Kong in June. The Blue Tigers have no alternative but to win, as they only have a point in their bag after the first two qualifying fixtures.

Khalid Jamil has picked an almost similar side to what he had for the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, but there are some notable additions and omissions. With off-the-pitch circumstances holding Jamil back, he has picked a 23-member travelling squad for the game against Singapore.

The Stakes

India

Without exaggerating the magnitude of the occasion, it can be said with conviction that the next few days will decide the future of Indian Football in the immediate terms. Only the table toppers can qualify for the AFC Asian Cup from each group in the third round of qualifiers. Currently, India are at the bottom of Group C with only a point after a draw and a loss in the first two games.

The fixture against Singapore is a must-win, and not just this match, but all the remaining four games are must-wins for Khalid Jamil’s men. After a strong show in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, the fans have their faith back, but will the team be able to replicate the same performance when the stakes are astronomically high? Khalid Jamil would believe his team can.

Singapore

It has been a positive start for Singapore in the third round of the qualifiers. The Lions failed to begin on a winning note as they could only manage a draw against Hong Kong in March, but came back strongly in June to edge Bangladesh 2-1, registering their first win.

Singapore are at the top of the points table with four points. The Lions have the same number of points as Hong Kong. A win against India would put the Lions in a comfortable position. They would be eager to take advantage of the home conditions and gather maximum points before they travel to India next week.

Team News

India have announced a 23-member squad for the game with players such as Muhammad Suhail, Mohammed Sanan, Apuia, Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Edmund & more missing from the team.

Whereas, Singapore have more options as they have 26 men available for the game.

Players to watch

Sunil Chhetri (India)

With all the young players in the squad, the Indian football fans will still have their eyes on a 41-year-old striker who has rescued India countless times in the past. Sunil Chhetri is back in the squad, and the Blue Tigers desperately require their leader to rise to the occasion again.

It is a misery that India have to rely again on a 41-year-old, but the situation is too grave to think about anything other than a victory. Goals are all that fans would want to see on Thursday, and Chhetri remains the most likely source. There will be pressure on him to deliver, but this is not the first time he will be carrying the burden of expectations of a billion.

Ikhsan Fandi (Singapore)

Ikhsan Fandi will be a threat to India’s defense. The 26-year-old centre forward plays for the Thai club Ratchaburi FC on loan from BG Pathum United. Fandi can hurt the opposition with his unpredictable movement in the box.

The last twelve months have not been rewarding for him in terms of goal-scoring output, but Fandi remains a potent threat. It is pertinent to note that he was on the scoresheet in the last meeting between the two sides in 2022, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Gavin Lee will want his striker to find his groove as Singapore play in an important clash.

Also Read: Ten players dropped from Indian football team squad for Singapore double-header

Predicted Lineups

India (4-2-3-1):

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu; Valpuia, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Muhammed Uvais; Nikhil Prabhu, Deepak Tangri; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Sahal Abdul Samad, Liston Colaco; Sunil Chhetri

Singapore (4-2-3-1):

Izwan Mahbud; Ryhan Stewart, Irfan Fandi, Safuwan Baharudin, Shah Shahiran; Kyoga Nakamura, Harhys Stewart; Shawal Anuar, Ui-young Song, Glenn Kweh; Ikhsan Fandi

Where to watch Singapore vs India in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers in India?

The fans can tune into the live action on Fancode for the Singapore vs India clash on 9 October 17:00 IST.

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