Technoglitch
Core Member
The odds are stacked heavily against beleaguered India as they brace up for the uphill task of locking horns with Asian toppers Iran in the 2018 World Cup and 2019 Asian Cup football qualifiers.
Though there are no injury worries for the Indian team, Iran will enter the Group D match at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium as firm favourites.
While the hosts will be contend with a respectable showing, Iran, ranked 40 in the FIFA ladder, will look to garner full points and top the group. Form and history does not inspire confidence for the supporters of the Indian team. The last time India beat Iran was way back in 1959, with the first victory coming in the final of the 1951 Asian Games in New Delhi.
Coach Stephen Constantine's best XI will also include Robin Singh and skipper Sunil Chhetri upfront with Jackichand Singh providing support. Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Ganesh, Pronay Halder and Sehnaj Singh will likely man the midfield. Rino Anto or Pritam Kotal will have Narayan Das as his partner on the opposite flank.
India have conceded 14 goals in six games, scoring five.
The visitors are full of confidence as witnessed in their last game versus Guam. The Iranians have played 12 games since their exit at the group stages of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and have won eight of them, including a famous victory over Copa America winners Chile, at the Azadi stadium.
India face stern test against Asian toppers Iran in World Cup Qualifier : Football, News - India Today