India vs Tajikistan: Curtain raiser to preparations for 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers

The Blue Tigers begin their Intercontinental Cup campaign against The Persian Lions on Sunday evening.

It’s the curtain raiser, the precursor to World Cup qualification for the Blue Tigers. India are set to face central Asian nation Tajikistan in their opening fixture of the Intercontinental Cup 2019 at the EKA Arena by TransStadia, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The stadium, built in 2017, is one of the better facilities in the subcontinent, with no tracks around the field, giving the fans a ‘literal’ edge-of-the-action feel. 

Under Igor Stimac, the selections and the football have both been ‘footballingly’ right, or at least the fans feel that way. After drubbing Thailand 4-1 (Asian Cup) and 1-0 (King’s Cup), the national team has garnered some much needed respect across the continent. Against Curacao in the King’s Cup last month, India created two opportunities that were a result of fluid football, something the side displayed after a long gap of four years. 

Things, in a myopic way, are on the right track, but it’s too early to jump to conclusions. All selections made by Stimac, except the exclusion of Seriton Fernandes, have made him a fan favourite already. Players like Mandar Rao Dessai, Brandon Fernandes and Adil Khan have long been out of favour, but under the Croatian short tenure, have played more minutes in the national jersey. There’s a major positive feeling to the whole national team in the entire nation, and victories will only add to that. 

Inside View: EKA Arena by TransStadia

About The Teams

Tajikistan

The team is currently ranked 120th on the FIFA rankings and do not come with a lot of positive form behind them. The Persian Lions, managed by 53-year-old Usmon Toshev, have drawn one and lost four of their last five games, and have scored just once in the last six-odd months, while conceding 10 times. 

The India U-23 side, though, met their Tajikistani counterparts in AFC U-23 qualification and lost 2-0. This would bring some confidence and respite to the visitors, who can be expected to put in a stern test against the hosts at the warm Arena stadium. 

Tajikistan did not qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2019 and aren’t as fancied opposition as North Korea and Syria, the other two teams participating in the Intercontinental Cup. Thus, India need to start well, and have the perfect opposition at the beginning of the tournament to try out a few more ideas, something Stimac must be itching to do. 

India

The Blue Tigers have been sitting in an around the 100th rank for a while now, currently sitting at the 101st. Prior to the King’s Cup, where they won one and lost another, India had a flattering-to-deceive Asian Cup, winning the first game with an inspiring display of attacking football and later, losing the other two at the group stage. Clearly, they exited the tournament with the last defeat. 

The team, though, with the changes, has looked in good shape. The camp in Mumbai looked competitive and the practice match was played at a good tempo. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with East Bengal fan favourite Jobby Justin getting on the scoresheet and thus, earning a call-up to the national roster. 

Tables could change for the 25-year-old in a matter of months, as his exclusion from the King’s Cup squad had rang a lot of bells, and now, his inclusion in the ICC squad has done the same. If he dons the national jersey, it would be a dream-come-true for the Kerala-born striker. 

The coach’s style is easy on the eye. You have the ball, pass it forward, and run. If there’s one footballer who has looked comfortable in this system, it’s Sahal Abdul Samad. The youngster may have lost a few balls on account of his inexperience, but some of his touches and footballing sensibility has been top notch. How he matures over the course of these three games would be an interesting proposition to watch. 

**Sandesh Jhingan has not trained with the squad in the final training session and might be doubtful against Tajikistan.**

Watch: Indian football team's final training session ahead of Hero Intercontinental Cup

Coaches' Corners

Igor Stimac (India)

I would love to see many people watching us in the stadium, supporting us because we deserve it. We are a young team and we need the fans' support.

Read the pre-match press conference here: We are on our way to become a strong force in Asia- Igor Stimac

Full pre-tournament press conference 

Usmon Toshev (Tajikistan)

We are in a preparatory stage, and we know that India is playing good football at the moment. It is a good side. It is going to be an interesting match tomorrow.

Read the pre-match press conference here: Intercontinental Cup stepping stone to World Cup qualifiers, feel coaches from Tajikistan, Syria & DPR Korea

Probable Tactics

India

India's probable lineup against Tajikistan at their Hero Intercontinental Cup opener on Sunday

The starting line-up is still a work-in-progress and coach Stimac will do good to figure out who he prefers on the pitch before facing difficult teams like North Korea and Syria. The defence, after the return of Anas Edathodika from retirement, can be expected to to show a familiar picture, with Rahul Bheke being the only chance, coming in at right-back. Pritam Kotal still has an outside as Bheke was caught napping on a lot of occasions during the King’s Cup matches. The Bengaluru FC defender was also accused of leaving a lot of space behind him, something he must iron out of his game. 

Sandesh Jhingan and Edathodika can be expected to start at the heart of defence, with Subhashish Bose completing the back four, filling in on the left side. The goalkeeping slot will still fall to Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, but don’t be shocked if you see Amrinder Singh walking out. The Mumbai City FC custodian has earned his time.

India's alternate lineup against Tajikistan at their Hero Intercontinental Cup opener on Sunday

The defensive midfield is an interesting dilemma for the manager. The robustness of Pronay Halder, or the fleet-footed slickness of Amarjit Singh Kiyam - who will make the cut? This remains to be seen. With Anirudh Thapa likely in the mix alongside one of the duo, it will be key to India’s chances as well as solidity during counter attacks. 

Brandon Fernandes, FC Goa’s blue-eyed boy, can be expected to start on the left side of the top four in a 4-2-3-1 system. Sahal can be expected to operate behind the No. 9 position that looks set to be occupied by Sunil Chhetri again, a role he is adjusting to after a long gap. Down the right, Udanta Singh seems to be riding on the coach’s confidence. 

Tajikistan

The Persian Lions, in most likelihood, will play the 4-3-3 defending system, a formation that will see them smoothly transform to the 4-2-3-1 whenever the need arises. With two defensive midfielders including long-time servant Davron Erghashev, who can be expected to wear the armband. 

Tajikistan's probable lineup against India

Rustam Yatimov looks set to start under the bar, with Hurshed Beknazarov and Siyovush Asrorov manning him centrally. Beknazarov has been in the starting XI since last year and Asrorov has been Tajikistan’s one of the better defenders since 2014, hardly footing a step wrong. The pair make for a physical pair, something Sunil Chhetri and Jobby Justin won’t relish too much. 

In the midfield, Amirbek Juraboev and Davron Ergashev will play as the shield, with Parvizdzhon Umarbaev operating at the top of the double pivot as a fluid No. 8, who would switch to No. 10 whenever he is accorded the freedom. 

Up top, Muhammadjon Rahimov can be expected to operate down the left flank as an outside forward, similar to a role Shahrom Samiyev is expected to play down the right flank. Centrally, promising prodigy Sheriddin Boboev can be expected to operate as the No. 9. 

Probable Line-ups

Tajikistan: Yatimov, Nazarov, Beknazarov, Asrorov, Dzhalilov, Juraboev, Davron Ergashev, Umarbaev, Rahimov, Boboev, Samiyev

India: Gurpreet, Bose, Edathodika, Jhingan, Bheke, Halder, Thapa, Brandon, Sahal, Udanta, Chhetri

Player To Watch

Shahrom Samiev (Tajikistan): At just 18, this lad has made his debut and has scored once on the pitch and several times on the newspapers nationally. Samiev is being touted as the next big thing in Tajikistan for his speed and physical prowess. Samiev is not the most technical player, but makes it up with his tenacity and will power. Anas will have a handful against a player who loves to control the ball on the turn. 

Watch: Sunil Chhetri had some kind words for Sahal Abdul Samad

Sahal Abdul Samad (India): This is one trajectory everyone wants to see growing exponentially. Samad, Kerala Blasters’ favourite homegrown player in recent times, has won a lot of hearts with flashes of brilliance on the ball and with movement as smooth as his, finding him in space in the box shouldn’t be a shocking phenomenon. Samad will look at seniors like Brandon and Chhetri to combine with, and if the trio work it out well, India will have trickery, vision and pace up its sleeve. Samad, meanwhile, will play a key role in completing the puzzle. 

What To Expect

An Indian victory. The team has done well recently, and looks set to continue on the same route. But mind you, this is not going to be easy. Tajikistan won’t be pushovers. They have won against the South Asian team twice, the Blue Tigers managing victory just once. The fourth game ended in a draw. A fleet-footed side attacking a team semi-porous in defence is on the cards. 

This game could see a handful of goals. 

Broadcast

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

The match will be broadcast on the Star Networks and will be played on July 7, Sunday, starting 8:00 PM. This will be the first international fixture hosted by the TransStadia, Gujarat. 

This article was last updated on 7th July 12:51 AM regarding the absence of Sandesh Jhingan in the final training session.