The Indian football team will face Bahr today in an international friendly match, kickoff at 9.30pm
Manama: Indian football coach Igor Stemach will take on ISL players in an international friendly against Bahrain today. The kickoff is at 9.30pm Indian time tonight at the Madinah Hamad Stadium in Manama.
The Bahraini team blocked India from reaching the playoffs by defeating India in extra time in the AFC Cup three years ago. India’s friendship today is an opportunity to avenge that. India will also face Belarus on the 26th of this tour as part of preparations for the 2023 Asian Cup.
The absence of skipper Sunil Chhetri and Sahal Abdul Samad from the squad due to injuries is a setback for India. Steammach has named seven newcomers in the 25-member squad, including Malayalee player VP Zuhair and ISL Golden Glove winner Kerala Blasters goalie Prabhusukhan Gill. But seven of them could not leave India with the team as their visas were not valid. The All India Football Federation is trying to bring them before the match. The journey of Aniket and Amarinder Singh was disrupted.
Stephen Constantine has stepped down as India’s coach following his side’s defeat to Bahrain in the 2019 Asian Cup.
So far, coach Stimach has won just six of his 21 matches.
India, ranked 104th in the FIFA rankings, have yet to beat 89th-ranked Bahr.
India have lost five of the six matches they have played against Bahrain so far.
India’s best performance came in 1982, when they were held to a goalless draw.