After a month of club football action, Indian football enthusiasts will have the pleasure of seeing their national team, the Blue Tigers, in action once again as they participate in the 49th edition of the King’s Cup. They will face formidable Iraq, the 2007 Asian champions, in a knockout match, with the winner earning a place in the final.
India began 2023 on a positive note, securing the Tri Nation Cup, and continued their winning streak with consecutive victories in the Intercontinental Cup and SAFF Championship. This tournament will present their toughest test yet as they prepare for the Asian Cup 2023. How India perform without Sunil Chhetri, their star striker and talisman, against the 70th-ranked Iraq will reveal a lot about their prospects in the Asian Cup, where they will face strong teams like Australia (27th), Uzbekistan (74th), and Syria (94th).
About King’s Cup 2023
The King’s Cup is an annual international tournament held in Thailand since 1968, with Thailand participating in every edition. This 49th edition features four teams: Iraq (70th), India (99th), Lebanon (100th), and Thailand (113th). India will be making their fourth appearance in the tournament, and will be aiming to improve on their past appearances. Their best performance so far was winning bronze in their debut appearance and repeating that feat in the previous edition, defeating Thailand 1-0 after losing in the semi-final to Curacao.
In terms of the FIFA rankings, India is the second-highest ranked team in the tournament after Iraq, and they will draw confidence from their three consecutive title wins on home soil. Igor Stimac, the coach, has made some squad changes, introducing players like Brandon Fernandes, Ashis Rai, Lalchungnunga, Manvir Singh, and Rahul KP, with Ashis Rai and Lalchungnunga earning their first national team call-ups after impressive performances in the Durand Cup.
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Join the Birthday Celebration of Igor Stimac!
“I will wish for a dream result against Iraq” – a win against Iraq will be the best birthday gift for the Croatian World Cupper.
In this exclusive interview, the coach shares his focus on the King’s Cup and expresses… pic.twitter.com/gx3cFXRdo7
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) September 6, 2023
However, India will miss the services of Chhetri, who has been granted leave of absence from the tournament after the birth of his first child. The absence of Chhetri, along with players like Lallianzuala Chhangte and Shubhashis Bose, due to illness, and the uncertainty surrounding Akash Mishra’s availability due to a broken hand, poses challenges for the team.
From the opponent’s perspective, Iraq, coached by Jesus Casas, have had a successful 2023 so far, winning the Arabian Gulf Cup and showcasing a strong striker in Aymen Hussain and a talented midfielder, Zidane Iqbal, who is a product of the Manchester United Youth Academy.
Despite the challenges and limited preparation time, Stimac is determined to make a mark in the tournament. He sees this match against Iraq as a significant test and his birthday wish is for his players to give their best, regardless of the circumstances. He emphasised that the team should not give up and play like the Blue Tigers, giving their all on the field. “If my boys are able to give me a good result against a team like Iraq, that’s the best birthday gift I can ever hope for,” he said in a special birthday interview with RevSport. “Listen, the situation isn’t ideal. We have the time to train for just one session ahead of this game, when you know Iraq has trained for two weeks for the King’s Cup.
“We know we don’t have our best players. Chhangte came here with fever, so will not be on the pitch. Subhashish Bose couldn’t come because of cramps and fever, and Akash too is not in the best shape because of the broken hand. But one thing I can tell you. I have said the same to the boys. We will not give up. Come what may, we will not give up, and I want the boys to give it their all and play like the Blue Tigers. At the end of the game, they should stand in front of the mirror and say to themselves that they did everything humanly possible. That’s what I want as a gift from my boys.”
Also Read: “I Want the Boys to Play like Blue Tigers”: Igor Stimac