AFC Asian Cup 2019 | Why India should go for kill against UAE
India’s 4-1 win over Thailand in the campaign opener was largely unforeseen owing to their terrible recent history in the tournament. However, while the win has given hope to the Blue Tigers, they are up against a UAE side that has all possible ingredients blended well to win the tournament.
While everything looks to be going India’s way ahead of their much-anticipated clash against the hosts, after UAE were shockingly held by Bahrain to a 1-1 draw that included a dubious penalty going UAE’s way, one cannot discount the fact that the hosts have players who are faster, stronger, and way more seasoned than Sunil Chhetri and Co. India
While India
However, as far as the team’s current form is concerned, Zaccheroni is in trouble. Prior to the Asian Cup, UAE had played 10 international friendlies in 2018, winning only three matches and losing four. Hence, their blatant draw against Bahrain couldn’t be easily dismissed as a one-off. And the fact that they are coming against an Indian side, who have had some encouraging results in their last few matches against better opponents, does make a huge difference.
Tactically speaking, while India
Veteran striker Ahmed Khalil could be another thorn for India. Against the duo of Jhingan and Anas, UAE strikers Khalil and Mabkhout, who have 154 games and 88 goals between them, could run riot if given enough spaces. Despite winning 4-1 against Thailand, India let their opponents take nine shots, which could be enough to score for the UAE strikers. However, it is worth mentioning that they couldn’t get one at the back of the net despite Bahrain allowing them 10 shots.
As far, India’s strike force’s chances go in this match, UAE
Last but not the least, while a change in the first team has been deemed unnecessary by numerous pundits after it panned out marvellously for the last match, UAE’s muscle could see a better challenge with the likes of Rowlin Borges and Balwant Singh in the mix. India’s chances of qualifying into the knockout stages of the Asian Cup are better than ever and a draw against UAE would assure it. However, with UAE’s strengths and weaknesses now well-acquainted to India and Constantine having the resources to break it, India would much rather want to go for the kill.
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