India vs Kyrgyz Republic: Blue Tigers set for an engrossing tussle with the White Falcons

Manasi Pathak

India vs Kyrgyz Republic: Blue Tigers set for an engrossing tussle with the White Falcons image

The Indian national team will host Kyrgyz Republic on Tuesday evening at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru for a Group A clash in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup third round qualifiers.

The Blue Tigers and The White Falcons are tied at the top of Group A, having grabbed three points each from their opening fixtures. Sunil Chhetri and company beat Myanmar 1-0 in the opening game of the group at Yangon. Whereas, Aleksandr Krestinin's army got the better of Macau in Bishkek, thanks to a 70th-minute goal from their skipper Azamat Baymatov.

Also read: Know India's Rivals- Kyrgyz Republic

The Blue Tigers are likely to start with a 4-1-3-2 formation with a backline comprising of Mohun Bagan custodian Pritam Kotal, Sandesh Jhingan, who scored the opening goal against Nepal at Mumbai last week, Anas Edathodika and Narayan Das. Central defensive midfielder Rowllin Borges suffered a knock against Nepal but is most likely to start on Tuesday. 

Jackichand Singh India Nepal International Friendly 2017

Jackichand Singh, Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Sunil Chhetri are expected to lineup behind the front two. The attack will feature Mohun Bagan's Jeje Lalpekhlua and East Bengal's big man Robin Singh.

India vs Kyrgyzstan AFC Asian Cup qualifier: Looking back at the past encounters

As for Kyrgyzstan, the visitors are likely to opt for a 4-4-1-1 formation with Mirlan Murzaev operating at number 10 and Vitaly Lux at number 9. The 27-year-old Murzaev is the perfect deep-lying centre-forward. Apart from being lethal on the ball, the attacker's aerial prowess is also commendable.

The 6'5'' Pavel Matiash will feature between the sticks and skipper Azamat Baymatov will be accompained with the young Tamirlan Kozubaev in central defence. Kyrgyzstani-German Victor Maier will guard on the right and 23-year-old Umarov Akramjon will function on the left side of the defense.

Kyrgyz Republic football team

The midfield will see Edgar Bernhardt, who plies his trade with German club SV Rodinghausen, play on the right and 30-year-old Pavel Sidorenko on the left wing. Kara-Suu-born Ahlidin Israilov and FC Dordoi Bishkek's Shamshiev Islam will be at the heart of midfield for the The White Falcons.

Among the 3 matches played between the two sides, the Indians have won twice and lost once. Also, six goals have been struck by the Blue Tigers in those encounters whereas the Kyrgyz side has registered only three goals. 

PREDICTED LINE-UPS:

India vs Nepal Possible XI

Possible Kyrgyztan XI India

Manasi Pathak