Stern test awaits India in SAFF Championships football match against Kuwait

Already through to semifinals, India will face ir sternest test in SAFF Championship football when y face formidable Kuwait in ir last league match here on Tuesday.

With six points from two wins, same as India, Kuwait have also entered semifinals and Tuesday's match at Sree Kanteerava Stadium will decide Group A winner.

Pakistan and Nepal face each or in or match of day, which has been rendered inconsequential as both sides are already out of contention for semifinals after losing ir two earlier matches.

India had brushed aside Pakistan 4-0 but had to work hard in ir 2-0 win over Nepal. ir defence looks in fine fettle having mand a clean sheet for a record eight successive matches.

However, midfield and frontline will have to perform a tch higher against a strong side like Kuwait.

India had struggled for more than an hour to penetrate Nepal defence, and Kuwait could pose even taller hurdles with a much more organised and experienced defence.

India’s primary weapon for finding goals still remains talismanic Sunil Chhetri, who struck a hat-trick against Pakistan and n opened scoring against Nepal.

It was just an understatement when Sahal Abdul Samad said or players, including himself, need to find target more often than t to take burden off Chhetri.

It is imperative for India to find multiple goal-scorers ahead of playing against fancied opponents as y will hardly give any wriggle room for Chhetri.

“Every aspect (of game) has room for improvement. It’s a possession game, keep ball as much as we can and score goals. We have a fantastic player who scores goals for us," Sahal had said.

“ coach asked us to change that, and we need to start scoring. t just Sunil (Chhetri) bhai.” On or hand, Kuwait, who enjoy a 2-1 head-to-head record against India, have so far dished out a very disciplined game in tournament. y were authoritative while scripting 3-1 and 4-0 victories over Nepal and Pakistan respectively.

y would want to continue in same vein against India, despite taking time to acclimatise with conditions here. It will also put m in a good frame of mind ahead of semifinals.

“We sometimes play well, but our ball possession can get better. Before coming here, we played difficult matches with African teams," said Kuwait head coach Rui Bento.

"It is very difficult to play in this wear, because humidity is very high. But I have to congratulate our players for previous two matches.” This is first time India are facing Kuwait since an international friendly in vember 2010. two teams have undergone layers of transformation in interim, and y would t want to settle for anything less than a win.

Tuesday’s matches: Pakistan vs Nepal, 3.30 PM; India vs Kuwait, 7.30 PM.