WHAT HAPPENS
Anas Edathodika in the second game, the English tactician will be expected to continue with his starting combination.
Star striker Sunil Chhetri will continue to lead the attacking line, with Halicharan Narzary behind him in a floating role and Udanta Singh and Ashique Kuruniyan in the wings. The central midfield combination of Pronay Halder and Anirudh Thapa has worked well so far but may require Narzary to drop deep against Bahrain to counter the opposition’s physicality. Rowllin Borges will be another option for Constantine if he prefers a more conservative combination in the middle.
Barring the mistake that led to UAE’S opening goal, the backline of Pritam Kotal, Edathodika, Sandesh Jhingan and Subhasish Bose has provided able support to Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in goal. However, the defence could
India win – Top spot if UAE fail to beat Thailand; second spot if UAE win.
India draw – 2nd spot if UAE beat or draw vs Thailand; 3rd if Thailand bt UAE.
India lose and UAE beat Thailand – Third spot for India.
India lose and UAE fail to beat Thailand – Fourth spot for India.
India will qualify in scenarios 1 and 2. In the case of scenario 3, qualification to the Round of 16 will be dependent on the standings of third-placed teams from the six groups. In scenario 4, India will be knocked out. find itself busy against the likes of Mohamed Al Romaihi on Monday.
Against UAE, India had failed to take advantage of a number of scoring chances and hit the woodwork twice. Against Bahrain, they can ill-afford to be as profligate in front of goal.