With India’s chances of qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 hanging by a thread, wins are the need of the hour, starting with a crucial home game against Singapore on Tuesday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Tuesday.
A late error from Singapore gifted a 10-man India an equaliser in the reverse fixture last week, placing it third in Group C with just two points from its three matches.
India head coach Khalid Jamil, who will be taking charge in his first home game, has surprisingly signalled an attacking intent — a shift from his reactive football. “It’s a home game and we have to start attacking from the start,” said Jamil.
The Blue Tigers have struggled for goals from open play under his tenure with set-pieces being the key attacking threat, which Singapore nullified by shading the possession in the away game.
While Jamil might not veer too far away from his principles, he will hope his side can make better use of the ball in possession.
His late SOS call for central midfielder Lalengmawia Ralte could help unlock India’s attackers against a Singapore side, which will once again look to push up and play a high line. “We have some clear intentions of how we want to play regardless of the situation in front of us,” reiterated Singapore’s interim coach Gavin Lee.
Subhasish Bose, who was called up for the suspended Sandesh Jhingan, is also expected to make the starting XI in what is a now-or-never game for Indian football.
Published – October 13, 2025 10:49 pm IST
