SAFF Championship 2011: Eighth Match India Vs Bhutan Pre Match Preview

INDIA Karanjit; Jaspal,Gawli,Gourmangi,Nabi; Dias,Jewel,Climax(c),Anthony; Jeje,Sunil;

BHUTAN Leki;  Dorji,Rinchen,Tenzing,Kinely; Sangay,Shering,Gurung,Dorji; Chencho,Dhendup;

Match day four sees tournament favourites, India take on  minnows Bhutan in this all important Group A clash. 

India demonstrated nerves when they took on Afghanistan in their first match of the tournament. While they were expected to make short work of the opposition, they were held on to a draw by a stubborn Afghan side who could have even taken all three points in the closing minutes,

Savio had expressed disappointment at the result and had rued a clear penalty which was not given.


India will miss the services of experienced full back Samir Naik who looked to have picked up an injury in the draw against Afghanistan. The inexperienced Jaspal Parmar might get a look in.

Bhutan have a lot to play for as they were comprehensively beaten in their first match by Sri Lanka and will look to solicit a response as they take on India. However Bhutan will not give easy win to India as they may fight back to get some respect in regional football

Facts about two Opponents:

• Bhutan are ranked 198, and are the lowest ranked team in the competition.

• Savio Medeira has still not won a competitive match as a coach of Team India.

• Bhutan have played India twice before and have lost on both occasions.

• Bhutan striker Chencho had scored two goals in the Federation Cup to knock out Mohun Bagan AC.

• India's oldest player in the side is Captain Climax Lawrence at 32 years.
• Interestingly, Bhutan did not enter the qualification for the 2014 Fifa World Cup.

Records of Last Five match of two opponents:

Field Report

 Bhutan

 India

Last Five Matches

Bhutan
03-Dec-2011	Sri Lanka 3 - Bhutan 0	SAFF
25-Mar-2011	Afghanistan 2 - Bhutan 0	ACC
23-Mar-2011	Bhutan 0 - Afghanistan 3	ACC
08-Dec-2009	Pakistan 7 - Bhutan 0	SAFF
06-Dec-2009	Sri Lanka 6 - Bhutan 0	SAFF

India
03-Dec-2011	India 1 - Afghanistan 1	SAFF
29-Nov-2011	India 0 - Zambia 5	IF
16-Nov-2011	India 3 - Malaysia 2	IF
13-Nov-2011	India 1 - Malaysia 1	IF
25-Aug-2011	Guyana 2 - India 1	IF