The Indian football team will renew the quest to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in a qualifying game against Guam at the Guam National Football Stadium on Tuesday.
This is India’s second match in the second round of qualifiers. India and Guam are in Group D along with Oman, Iran and Turkmenistan for the preliminary league with the top two finishers progressing to the next phase of the competition.
India lost its first match 1-2 against Oman while Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
India, ranked 141 will need to put its best foot forward against the 174 ranked Guam, as the visitors seek their first win in not only Group D but also the Pacific region.
Despite India’s loss against Oman, it offered hope for an improved performance and will look to take some aspects of that game on Tuesday.
Guam coach Gary White said that they are looking forward to the game.
“It’s likely to be a competitive one. Win or perish, both teams would go out to get those three points. We have watched India’s match against Oman and must say that there seems to be a new life in the Indian team. They looked much organised and it will be difficult to break them down,” White said, on Tuesday.
India’s coach Stephen Constantine isn’t willing to read much into the rankings disparity between the two teams.
Constantine has appointed striker Sunil Chhetri captain for the match, who stressed on taking “one match at a time.”
“Guam has definitely improved a lot from the last time we played them.
“On the surface one didn’t give them much of a chance against Turkmenistan but this squad is a different side altogether.
“Their win speaks volumes of the improvement and we have huge respect for Guam,” Chhetri said.
