India Vs Puerto Rico Preview: Is there an upset on the cards?

by Chittu Shetty September 2, 2016

India takes on CONCAF side Puerto Rico on Saturday for the first time as they would look to put up strong performances and try improving their Rankings. Taking on the 114 Ranked team will be huge Experience for the team who have been facing teams ranked below 150 for quite a time now.

A look at both the teams,

About the opponent:

The Puerto Rican side is on the back of two Recently friendly losses against Dominican Republic. They lost 5-0 away and 0-1 at home to their opponent on 28 and 30 August respectively, so they could be low on morale. As per latest report, the CONCAF side has missed their connecting flights from New York and will reach Mumbai a day late on Friday evening. Jet Lagged, less time to acclimatize to weather, missing their coach (who has not travelled with the team) and their three star Players (due to the fight with their federation) along with the fact that they would have almost no time to practice could become a huge factor against the visiting side.

Squad:

GK: Christopher Echevarría, Johnny Santana

Defenders: Emmanuel D’Andrea, Elliot Vélez, Javier Lalondriz, Joan Morales, Marcos Martínez, Jacob Conde

Midfielders: Alexis Rivera, Juan Vélez (Captain), Andrés Cabrero, Juan Coca

Forwards: Karlos Ferre, Mike Ramos, Manolo Sanchez

Team Verdict:  With stars and Puerto Rico’s all time leading scorers Hector Ramos and his fellow strike partner, Joseph Marrero missing the game, Mike Ramos, who has yet to open his International goals account will be expected to lead the attack with Manolo Sanchez or the 18 year old Karlos Ferre as the strike Partner. Despite recent setbacks, the team would be looking to get back on winning note to boost their preparations for Caribbean Cup qualification.

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Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

About the Host:

India will fancy their chance against the weary side that is also missing their star players. Apart from the two World cup qualifiers in March, India has been on winning side for 7 games now, which includes a SAFF cup victory. With star players back in the team and other youngsters gaining valuable match experiences in Bhutan win, India would look to create upset.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Subrata Paul, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu(C), Amrindher Singh

Defenders: Rino Anto, Sandesh Jhingan, Arnab Mondal, , Chinglensana Singh, Pritam Kotal, Narayan Das, Fulganco Cardozo

Midfielders: Vinit Rai, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Dhanpal Ganesh, Pronay Halder, Jackichand Singh, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Bikash Jairu, Holicharan Narzary, Rowlin Borges, Germanpreet Singh, Mohammed Rafique, Arjun Tudu

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Sumeet Passi

Team Verdict: With Coach Constantine’s position in question, he will be hard pressed to deliver a win here, with favorable factors of a weary side sans its star player, along with a full strength squad at his own disposal. With a new captain in Gurpreet Sandhu, an in-form striker in Jeje and other promising talents in options, the team would be expected to take a new step for future with a win over a higher ranked team.

Does history beckon the Indian team as they take on Puerto Rico at the new venue of Andheri sports Complex, Mumbai? Fans will be expected to be in numbers as International football returns to Mumbai for the first time in 61 years. A win will be the perfect start to the festive environment of the city that is about to kick in from Monday.

KICK OFF: 8:00PM

Venue: Andheri Sports Complex, Mumbai

Live on: Star Sports 2 and Star Sports HD2