Sunday’s final match between India and Lebanon in the Hero Intercontinental Cup represents an important opportunity for India to regain some lost prestige. Under the tutelage of Igor Stimac, the head coach, India have not achieved much apart from winning the SAFF Championship in 2021. Winning the Intercontinental Cup would be a significant achievement for the team in the build-up to the Asian Cup in January 2024.
India had previously won the inaugural edition of the Intercontinental Cup in 2018 by defeating Kenya 2-0. That first edition was organised by the AIFF to serve as a preparation for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Qualification and the Asian Cup, and this time the scenario is not too different. However, India failed to defend their title in 2019.
So far in the ongoing tournament, India have performed well. They started with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Mongolia, and then secured a 1-0 win against Vanuatu. In their final group stage match against Lebanon, they settled for a draw in a game that had no impact on the standings. However, India missed a couple of golden opportunities in front of goal.
In the final, India will rely heavily on Sunil Chhetri, their captain, who will shoulder the striking responsibilities. Lebanon, on the other hand, has won only once in the tournament, against Vanuatu, and played out two draws against Mongolia and India.
The previous clash between India and Lebanon showed that India were the better side, with Lebanon creating few chances in India’s box. However, Hassan Matouk, Lebanon’s forward, poses a threat to India’s defence with his skill and measured crosses from the left flank. Stimac has tried both Pritam Kotal and Nikhil Pujari in the right-back position and it will be interesting to see which player he chooses to handle Matouk in the final.
Apart from Chhetri, India will look to players like Sandesh Jhingan, who has been solid in defence along with Anwar Ali. Chhangte and Mahesh Naorem have also impressed throughout the tournament, and will play crucial roles in India’s attack.
A victory in the final would not only mean a trophy, but also boost morale ahead of the upcoming SAFF Championship, scheduled to begin on June 21 in Bengaluru. Lebanon, if they manage to stun India in the final, will carry that momentum into the SAFF tournament, where they are one of two guest teams.
Predicted XIs
India: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali, Akash Mishra, Nikhil Pujari, Jeakson Sing, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Naorem Mahesh, Sunil Chhetri.
Lebanon: Ali Sabeh (GK), Wali Shour, Jehad Ayob, Hussein El Zain, Mohammed AL Hayek, Nader Matar, Ali Tneich, Soony Saad, Zein Farran, Hassan Maatouk, Karim Darwiche.
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