Jamil had named 30 players for the camp in Bengaluru, which began on September 20. However, 14 of them — including Chhetri — were not released by their clubs until a week ago
India’s Sunil Chhetri during a training session recently. Pic/AIFF Instagram
The Indian team faces a tricky test against Singapore in a crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifying third-round match here on Thursday, amid a messy build-up that has seen several players miss the first half of the national training camp.
Although the talismanic Sunil Chhetri has returned to the team after he was rested for the CAFA Nations Cup in August-September, Khalid Jamil’s side have trained together for barely a week ahead of an important match.
Jamil had named 30 players for the camp in Bengaluru, which began on September 20. However, 14 of them — including Chhetri — were not released by their clubs until a week ago.
India are at the bottom of Group C, having garnered one point from their first two matches against Bangladesh (0-0) and Hong Kong (0-1). Singapore, meanwhile, lead the group with four points from two games.
Any slip-up on Thursday could jeopardise India’s chances of making it to the main tournament in 2027, for which only the group winners will make the cut. Jamil highlighted the importance of taking the remaining matches of the qualifiers one at a time. “We are not looking at the overall picture at the moment.
There are still four matches to go, and the next one against Singapore is the most important for us right now. We must go one step at a time,” said Jamil.
India (ranked 134th) have beaten Singapore (ranked 158th) 12 times, but have lost on 11 occasions to them, with four matches ending in a draw.
12
No. of times India have beaten Singapore in 27 matches
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