India U23 vs Brunei U23: How should India line up for AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers clash?

India will lock horns with Brunei in the final AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifying fixture.

The Indian U23 football team is all set to take on Brunei in their last AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers assignment. The Blue Colts find themselves in place in Group H with three points in the first two games. The loss against Qatar dented their qualification chances, but they are still in contention to finish as one of the four best second-placed teams.

Naushad Moosa has chosen to keep the ship steady with consistent selections in the first two matches against Bahrain and Qatar. The lineup was the same for both matches.

However, he will have no option but to make a change as India’s centre-back, Pramveer, was shown a controversial card in the last game. In this article, we will look at the probable starting lineup for India against Brunei.

Also Read: How can India qualify for the AFC U23 Asian Cup? Check all possible scenarios

India U23 Predicted XI vs Brunei

Sahil Poonia

Sahil could not keep the clean sheet against Qatar, but he was solid between the sticks, barring that one mistake that led to the goal. The Indian custodian made some great saves to deny Qatar their second goal from open play. He is expected to start for India again.

Harsh Palande

Harsh Palande had an impressive outing against Qatar. He had the upper hand against his sturdy Qatari counterpart. Palande is one of the revelations for India in the qualifiers. Naushad Moosa will want his left-back to continue his form.

Muhammed Saheef

India will miss the services of Pramveer who played the first two games in the centre back role. A red card against Qatar will keep him out of the action. In his absence, Muhammad Saheed can start for India. The Kerala Blasters youngster will have a great opportunity to show his potential.

Bikash Yumnam

India contained Qatar to just a solitary goal from open play, and India’s skipper Bikash Yumam played a crucial role in enabling India to do that. He will have a relatively easier task against Brunei but the Indian skipper can’t take the opposition lightly, especially in his absence of his regular centre-back partner.

Ricky Meitei

A predictable name in the right-back position. Ricky Meetei has made this position his own with consistent performances for India. In the qualifiers, he has been spot on, preventing the opposition from making threatening inroads from the left.

Macarton Nickson

Macarton Nickson has been one of the standout performers for India in the qualifiers. With his creativity, he has helped the Blue Colts create chances. His precision passes to Indian forwards have enabled them to find goal-scoring opportunities. With eyes on a win by a huge margin, Macarton would be key for India against Brunei.

Lalremtluanga Fanai

The Indian midfield depends heavily on Lalremtluanga Fanai to click. The Bengaluru FC midfielder is always aware of the incoming threats, and his ability to anticipate the opposition’s movement gives India an edge in the centre of the park. Fanai will be aiming to extend his good run against Brunei.

Lalrinliana Hnamte

After a relatively quiet night against Qatar, Hnamte would be eager to contribute against Brunei in the last qualifying fixture. He made some mistakes in the last game, but would like to focus on the positives from the Bahrain game and build upon that.

Muhammed Suhail

India’s goalscoring talisman is one of the first names to feature on the teamsheet. Muhammed Suhail has stolen the limelight with his consecutive goals.

Not just the number but the manner in which they were scored makes those goals more special. The Blue have to win against Brunei by a huge margin and Suhail will be instrumental in that.

Parthib Gogoi

India’s makeshift number No.9 has not looked at his best in the tournament so far. Parthib Gogoi, who naturally plays on the wings, has been given the responsibility to play as a striker. The match against Brunei will be an opportunity for him to find his goal-scoring form.

Mohammed Sanan

Mohammed Sanan exhibited his brilliance against Qatar and Bahrain. The Jamshedpur FC winger also came close to opening his goalscoring account against Bahrain, but an offside call prevented him. His creative instincts have done wonders for India in the qualifiers. Sanan would also want to contribute with goal-scoring prowess.

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