New Delhi:
Despite bouncing back with a 2-1 win over Kyrgyzstan, defending champions India would look to ensure that Sri Lanka do not turn out to be party poopers when they face their South Asian rivals in an important Nehru Cup international football tournament match here on Wednesday.
India, who lost to Lebanon 0-1 in their opening match, need a win against the Lankans if they want to place themselves in a better position to qualify for the final of the five-nation tournament at the Ambedkar Stadium.
Bob Houghton's boys may then need just a draw in their last round-robin fixture against a formidable Syria on August 29 if the West Asian nation beat their neighbours Lebanon on Thursday.
However, a draw against Sri Lanka may not be the end of road for Bhaichung Bhutia and Co. but in that case they have to beat Syria on August 29 if they want to play in August 31 final.
The hosts cannot afford take Sri Lanka lightly as the island nation stunned Lebanon 4-3 in their first match though they were brought down to earth 0-4 by a rampaging Syria on Monday.
Incidentally, both Indian and Sri Lankan players are similar in size and rely more on ground passes but the hosts will have to ensure that they take control of the game early.
And Indian captain Bhutia knows too well from his past experience that they cannot ill-afford to take the Lankans lightly.
"The Sri Lankans are fit and we cannot allow them take initiative of the game. We have to take control of the game from the start and we have to stop them in their tracks," said Bhutia, who played his 100th international match on Sunday.
With the return of striker Sunil Chhetri from injury, the Indian attack looked a lot more sharper. The Delhi lad is becoming fitter as the tournament progresses and considering the understanding between him ans Bhutia, coach Houghton is expected to retain the same combination upfront on Wednesday.
But, the only area of concern for the Indians is their defence which is yet to settle down with new combinations coming in each of the earlier two matches.
Deepak Mondal is expected to start on Wednesday at the right back as Surkumar Singh is still to recover from his hamstring problem.
At the left back position, NS Manju's injury against Lebanon led to veteran Mahesh Gawli taking his place against Kyrgyzstan as Sameer Naik was also unfit.
However, Houghton may think of starting with Naik tomorrow as the Dempo player has almost recovered from his injury, or at least he may come in the second half.
India: Subrata Paul, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Anwar, Deepak Mondal, Mahesh Gawli, Surkumar Singh, Gouramangi Singh, Samir Naik, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, NP Pradeep, Renedy Singh, Syed Rahim Nabi, Steven Dias, Anthony Pereira, Climax Lawrence, Sunil Chhetri, Bhaichung Bhutia (C), Sushil Kumar Singh, Abhishek Yadav.
Sri Lanka: Asanka Viraj, RN Warakagoda, WDRD Ruwanthilake, MNM Issadeen, Chathura Maduranga (C), AAS Pradeep Kumara, S Sanjeev, EB Channa, S Satheeswaran, KNC Fernando, M Asmeer, SKL Tharaka Silva, WSL Tharisha Rangana, RMJD Rathnayake, RTG Raheem, BAR Jayawilal, HMA Kumara, WH Chathura Gunaratne, Raumy Mohideen.
India, who lost to Lebanon 0-1 in their opening match, need a win against the Lankans if they want to place themselves in a better position to qualify for the final of the five-nation tournament at the Ambedkar Stadium.
Bob Houghton's boys may then need just a draw in their last round-robin fixture against a formidable Syria on August 29 if the West Asian nation beat their neighbours Lebanon on Thursday.
However, a draw against Sri Lanka may not be the end of road for Bhaichung Bhutia and Co. but in that case they have to beat Syria on August 29 if they want to play in August 31 final.
The hosts cannot afford take Sri Lanka lightly as the island nation stunned Lebanon 4-3 in their first match though they were brought down to earth 0-4 by a rampaging Syria on Monday.
Incidentally, both Indian and Sri Lankan players are similar in size and rely more on ground passes but the hosts will have to ensure that they take control of the game early.
And Indian captain Bhutia knows too well from his past experience that they cannot ill-afford to take the Lankans lightly.
"The Sri Lankans are fit and we cannot allow them take initiative of the game. We have to take control of the game from the start and we have to stop them in their tracks," said Bhutia, who played his 100th international match on Sunday.
With the return of striker Sunil Chhetri from injury, the Indian attack looked a lot more sharper. The Delhi lad is becoming fitter as the tournament progresses and considering the understanding between him ans Bhutia, coach Houghton is expected to retain the same combination upfront on Wednesday.
But, the only area of concern for the Indians is their defence which is yet to settle down with new combinations coming in each of the earlier two matches.
Deepak Mondal is expected to start on Wednesday at the right back as Surkumar Singh is still to recover from his hamstring problem.
At the left back position, NS Manju's injury against Lebanon led to veteran Mahesh Gawli taking his place against Kyrgyzstan as Sameer Naik was also unfit.
However, Houghton may think of starting with Naik tomorrow as the Dempo player has almost recovered from his injury, or at least he may come in the second half.
India: Subrata Paul, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Anwar, Deepak Mondal, Mahesh Gawli, Surkumar Singh, Gouramangi Singh, Samir Naik, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, NP Pradeep, Renedy Singh, Syed Rahim Nabi, Steven Dias, Anthony Pereira, Climax Lawrence, Sunil Chhetri, Bhaichung Bhutia (C), Sushil Kumar Singh, Abhishek Yadav.
Sri Lanka: Asanka Viraj, RN Warakagoda, WDRD Ruwanthilake, MNM Issadeen, Chathura Maduranga (C), AAS Pradeep Kumara, S Sanjeev, EB Channa, S Satheeswaran, KNC Fernando, M Asmeer, SKL Tharaka Silva, WSL Tharisha Rangana, RMJD Rathnayake, RTG Raheem, BAR Jayawilal, HMA Kumara, WH Chathura Gunaratne, Raumy Mohideen.
