In the enthralling semifinals of the SAFF football tournament, the Indian team anticipates another awe-inspiring display from their charismatic captain as they brace themselves to confront the formidable Lebanese side on Saturday.
The defending champions secured their place in the semifinals by finishing second in Group A, trailing behind Kuwait. Lebanon, on the other hand, clinched the top spot in Group B, earning their well-deserved spot in the final four. Leading the tournament’s goal-scoring chart is none other than the illustrious Chhetri, whose sublime form has seen him net five goals in three matches, including a mesmerizing hat-trick against Pakistan.
In the recent league match against Kuwait, Chhetri showcased his enduring brilliance by striking a spectacular goal. To overcome the challenges posed by Lebanon, the captain must once again demonstrate his mettle on the field.
Sahal Abdul Samad, Mahesh Singh, and Udanta Singh are vital players who need to rally behind their captain. While each has made significant contributions throughout the tournament, only Udanta and Mahesh have managed to find the back of the net alongside Chhetri.
Against the formidable Lebanese squad, India’s over-reliance on Chhetri could prove detrimental. The team’s success lies in maintaining their resolute defensive line, which has conceded a mere solitary goal in the last nine matches—a goal that came as an unfortunate own goal against Kuwait.
India and Lebanon have engaged in eight encounters thus far, with Lebanon holding a slim lead of 3-2 in the win-loss record, while the remaining three matches concluded as draws. Nevertheless, the Indian team’s morale stands high this time around.
Their recent encounters with Lebanon yielded positive outcomes. Just earlier this month, India held Lebanon to a goalless draw in a league match of the Intercontinental Cup in Odisha and triumphed over them with a 2-0 victory in the tournament final. Yet, in the fiercely competitive realm of football, past match records hold limited significance.
India must bring forth their utmost capabilities to conquer this formidable Central Asian adversary. Lebanon, after overcoming Bhutan, Maldives, and Bangladesh in the group stage, enters the semifinals with an unyielding spirit. Meanwhile, India faced arduous competition from Nepal and Kuwait, following a comparatively comfortable encounter against Pakistan.
Unfortunately, the Indian team will once again miss the guidance of head coach Igor Stimac, who received his second red card during the tournament, specifically in the match against Kuwait.
Semi-Final Match Schedule
Kuwait vs Bangladesh: Saturday, 03:30 PM
India vs Lebanon: Saturday, 07:30 PM
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