CHHETRILESS INDIA TAKE ON JORDAN IN ASIAN CUP TUNEUP

talismanic forward Sunil Chhetri out of action due to injury, India are set to face Jordan in an international football friendly here on Saturday.

The match at the Jordan capital is in preparation for the AFC Asian Cup, scheduled to be held in January-February next year.

Even though they will be without Chhetri, the country’s alltime leading scorer, Stephen Constantine’s men will take confidence from the goalless draw in their previous friendly against higher-ranked China.

With less than two months to go for the Asian Cup, the upcoming friendly provides Constantine one of final opportunities to assess his squad.

India’s defence impressed against Marcello Lippi’s China but Constantine will be banking on his midfield and attack to have an influence in the match against a Jordan side whose form has been patchy.

Jordan, who are ranked 15 spots below 97th-placed India in the FIFA world rankings, last won a match in May when they defeated Cyprus 3-0.

In their last four games, they have had two draws and two defeats, capping with a 1-2 loss to Croatia in October.

For India, mid-fielder Jackichand Singh and left back Nishu Kumar were on Thursday included in the 22-member squad for the away international FIFA fixture.

The likes of Udanta Singh, Pronay Halder, Halicharan Narzary and Anirudh Thapa will hope to have a significant say in the midfield against a Jordan side that could be lethal on the counter despite the absence of a few attacking players.

In the absence of Chhetri, experienced men like Jeje Lalpekhlua and Balwant Singh will need to take up the mantle up front. While the former has struggled in front of goal, the latter’s form is encouraging.

Ahead of the match, Constantine said, “We want to do well in the AFC Asian Cup and the clash against Jordan will aid us. Jordan are a good side and they have a number of good players in their ranks.”

AMMAN:With