The clash between two Asian nations - India and Chinese Taipei, sets the inaugural Hero Intercontinental Cup rolling at the Mumbai Football Arena on Friday. While India sits at 97th in the FIFA rankings, Chinese Taipei are ranked 121. Thus, the Blue Tigers hold an edge over their opponents and enter the encounter as the favourites to win.

Organised by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to strengthen India’s preparation ahead of the highly-anticipated AFC Asian Cup, 2019, the Hero Intercontinental Cup will be an effective testing ground for head coach Stephen Constantine. Solid performances in this tournament should help the players to earn a spot in the AFC Asian Cup squad.

Team News:

Constantine has announced a 30-men squad studded with both experienced and young blood. While some of the regulars and stars of Indian football like Sunil Chhetri, Sandesh Jhingan, Anas Edathodika, Udanta Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Rowllin Borges and Jeje Lalpekhlua find their name in the squad and are sure to lead from the front, some young and fresh additions have also been announced.

Jerry Lalrinzuala, Halicharan Narzary and Balwant Singh have rejoined the squad, whereas, Ashique Kuruniyan, Subhasish Bose and Souvik Chakrabarti have earned their maiden call up into the Indian camp. Their inclusion has been based on their Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 performances and they are sure to make the exposure count.

India’s current run of form:

India’s brilliant 13-match unbeaten run was brought to an end recently by the Kyrgyz Republic in an inconsequential final group game of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign. However, the loss will surely not deter the Blue Tigers who would want to continue with their momentum and get over the Chinese Taipei hurdle. The squad also boasts of players who are enjoying crisp form and are raring to come together and weave their magic on the ground.

Squad List:

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith
Defenders: Pritam Kotal, Anas Edathodika, Salam Ranjan Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Lalruatthara, Narayan Das, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Subhasish Bose
Midfielders: Udanta Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan, Rowllin Borges, Anirudh Thapa, Pronay Halder, Md. Rafique, Halicharan Narzary, Laldanmawia Ralte
Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Balwant Singh, Alen Deory.

A look at how Chinese Taipei shall shape up:

Sitting 24 ranks lower than their opponents, Chinese Taipei’s head coach Gary White has a major challenge in his hand. However, they enter the tournament at the back of a four-match unbeaten run, which is sure to infuse enough confidence into the team.

Except for Will Donkin who plies his trade for English Premier League side Crystal Palace, the rest of the team is made up of individuals who play in the domestic league, helping them know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

Squad List:

Goalkeepers: Pan Wen Chieh, Tsai Shao Che, Chiu Yu-Hung
Defenders: Chen Hung Wei, Chen Ting-Yang, Hung Tzi Kuei, Chen Wei Chuan, Cheng Hao, Tu Shao Chieh
Midfielders: Wang Ruei, Wu Yen Shu, Chao Ming Hsiu, Donkin Will, Lin Chang Lun, Chen Chao An, Chen Yi Wei, Chen Sheng Wei, Chu En Lee, Wang Chien Ming
Forwards: Chen Ching Hsuan, Li Mao, Chen Hao Wei, Wei Mao Ting.

Past Encounters:

India have clashed swords with Chinese Taipei on eight occasions in the past, with the last two coming during the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers in 2013. Of the eight, India have won four while, lost twice and shared the honours twice, thus flaunting a superior record against their first opponents of the Hero Intercontinental Cup.

Coach Speaks:

India’s head coach Constantine: “It is a great pleasure when the Indian national team is playing. For me it is a great honour as always. Looking forward to the games. I think we will use these games as a preparation for the Asian Cup, which as I have said, started since we’ve qualified. (I am) Looking forward to play against Chinese Taipei and New Zealand. Those will give us different looks and different problems and we need these games in our learning process.”

Chinese Taipei’s head coach White: “We know that India is a strong team and they are definitely on the up. But we are learning as a team and we have made some massive strides recently. We have 10 U-23 players so it is good for our future. The players are motivated. For some of these guys, it is their first time and so it can be special for them.”

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