SAFF Championship: Third match India Vs Afghanistan pre match preview

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

AFGHANISTAN Yousufzai;  Faisal, Sakhizada, Rezai, Amiri; Hadid, Kohistani, Nadeem, Barakazai; Arezou,Ahmadi;

After an action packed first day in the SAFF Championship where Group B is evenly poised with all four teams on a point each, Group A kicks off with defending champions India locking horns with Afghanistan. What is remarkable about these two teams is that both these teams have domestic coaches at the helm, with Savio Medeira for India and Mohammed Yousuf Kargar for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan have never beaten India and their recent encounter being the Challenge Cup 2008 where they lost to India. India come into the game on the back of a demoralizing thrashing at home by a massive five goals albeit to a relatively higher ranked Zambia side.

Savio can, however, breath a sigh of relief as his two star strikers who had gone on a trials to Scottish side Rangers are back with the national team. The duo are set to feature in the opening encounter. With star goalkeeper Subrata Paul and midfield general Mehtab Hussain still unavailable due to injuries, this isn't the strongest India squad.

Climax Lawrence who has been handed the captain's armband will look to use his massive experience to marshal the midfield and guide this Indian team to a first round victory.

Kargar believes that with his side being a perfect blend of youth and experience, they can easily beat India 1-0. The squad also boasts two new faces to debut, Ahmadi and Hatifie both of whom play overseas.

Talismanic Captain Kohistani will look to be at his creative best and lead from the front. Amiri, the experienced left back who plays for Mumbai FC will look to add solidity to his defense and look to keep off India's dangerous frontmen.However the previous stats are this match will perfectly going to be competitive match as Afghanistan had done lots of progress on soccer in recent days.

Facts about two Opponents

Afghanistan are ranked 178. However that's just 16 places below India!

Afghanistan have faced India thrice in the past and have lost all 3 encounters.

This is Savio's first competitive match in his short tenure as Head coach of India.

Climax Lawrence who scored the injury time winner when India last met Afghanistan in Challenge Cup 2008 is the Captain of India.

Afghanistan boast a number of overseas players who play in Germany, USA and even India.

The two Indian Strikers have between them 32 goals, with an impressive strike rate of better than a goal every two matches.

 The recent history of the two teams in football 

Head to Head

Asia - AFC Challenge Cup 2008 ‎(ACC)‎

30-Jul-2008

India 1 - Afghanistan 0

Last Five Matches

India
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
22-Aug-2011	Trinidad & Tobago 3 - India 0	IF

Afghanistan
11-Apr-2011	Korea DPR (PRK) 2 - Afghanistan 0	ACC
09-Apr-2011	Sri Lanka 0 - Afghanistan 1	ACC
07-Apr-2011	Afghanistan 0 - Nepal 1	ACC
25-Mar-2011	Afghanistan 2 - Bhutan 0	ACC
23-Mar-2011	Bhutan 0 - Afghanistan 3	ACC