Preview: India face Myanmar as they gear up for Asian Cup qualifiers

by Chittu Shetty March 27, 2017

The Indian National team has their task cut out as they face a promising side in Myanmar, which has players from the squad that qualified for 2015 U-20 World Cup

Myanmar or Burma as it was once known, was once a regional powerhouse in the ASEAN sub-division of the AFC but now seemed to have lost its sheen over the years. Myanmar just like India had their glory days back in 60’s and 70’s having won two Asian Games gold medals (1966 & 1970) and five consecutive South East Asian Games titles from 1965 to 1973, while also finishing as runners up in the 1968 Asian Cup.

The senior team hasn’t been on the success ladder for a long time now having dropped 30 points in the current ranking window which has resulted in them dropping 13 places to 172nd from 159th in February 2017. The young guns of Myanmar, on the other hand, have been creating ripples on the world stage when they reached the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup after some stunning displays in the 2014 AFC U-19 Championship where they managed to reach the semi finals.

India and Myanmar are now pitted together alongside Kyrgyzstan and Macau in Group A of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup third qualifying round. A top two finish will see both sides make the trip to the UAE, but with strong competition from Kyrgyzstan, Battle will probably be between the two sides seeking redemption. Ironically, one of the worst losses for India has come against Myanmar back in 1971 when the India lost 1-9 to then Burma, which some regard as the beginning of India’s downfall in Asian Football dominance.

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India on the other hand seemed to be on the up under Stephen Constantine having won five consecutive games and winning 10 of the last 12. But based on the performances in the recently concluded International friendly against Cambodia, which was their first in around seven month, a lot of work still seems to be required. The defence looked shaky, while there was no proper flow between midfield and strikers, although the team won 3-2, a similar performance against Myanmar would be a disaster.

India has faced Myanmar 17 times where the Blue Tigers managed to win only 4 and were beaten nine times. As India take guard for the 18^th time against Myanmar, they would like to forget about the previous meeting at the same venue 3 years ago. Myanmar knocked off India 1-0 during the qualification for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup playing at the Thuwunna Stadium.

Pitted against a country that had once inflicted upon India one of its worst defeats ever, tomorrow will be the perfect day to get back on them and embark on a upward journey.

SQUAD

India: Goalkeepers – Subrata Paul, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu(C), TP Rehenesh

Defenders – Pritam Kotal, Nishu Kumar, Sandesh Jhingan, Arnab Mondal, Anas Edathodika, Dhanapal Ganesh, Fulganco Cardozo, Narayan Das, Jerry Lalrinzuala

Midfielders – Jackichand Singh, Udanta Singh, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Milan Singh, Md. Rafique, Rowlin Borges, Holicharan Narzary, CK Vineeth

Forwards – Jeje Lalpekhlua, Sunil Chhetri, Daniel Lalhimpuia, Robin Singh

Myanmar

Goalkeepers – Thiha Sithu, Yan Aung Lin, Phone Thit Sar Min

Defenders – Win Min Htut, Thein Than Win, David Htan, Tluanghup Thang, Myo Ko Tun, Phyo Ko Ko Thein, Hein Thiha Zaw

Midfielders – Yan Aung Kyaw (C), Tin Win Aung, Thet Naing, Maung Maung Lwin, Zin Phyo Aung, Yan Naing Oo, Sithu Aung,

Forwards – Aung Thu, Kyaw Ko Ko, Suan Lam Mang, Than Paing

MATCH DETAILS

Date: 28^th March 2017, 5 PM IST, Thuwunna Stadium, Myanmar