Kallang, Singapore – The Indian national football team faces a critical juncture in its quest to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 as they clash with Singapore at the Singapore National Stadium in Kallang today. With their campaign off to a stuttering start, Sunil Chhetri and his teammates are under immense pressure to secure a victory and revitalize their chances of progressing to the prestigious tournament to be held in Saudi Arabia.
India currently sits at the bottom of Group C with a solitary point, acquired from a goalless draw against Bangladesh, followed by a 1-0 defeat to Hong Kong. Singapore, in contrast, leads the group with four points, having drawn with Hong Kong and secured a win against Bangladesh. Only the top team from the group will automatically qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, making this match a must-win for the Blue Tigers.
The return of veteran striker Sunil Chhetri is a significant boost for the Indian squad. The talismanic captain was rested during the recent CAFA Nations Cup, where India finished third. His experience and leadership are expected to galvanize the forward line, which has struggled for goals in recent matches. Alongside Chhetri, defender Sandesh Jhingan also returns to the squad after recovering from a cheekbone injury.
However, preparations for this crucial qualifier have been less than ideal. Head Coach Khalid Jamil has had limited time to work with the full squad, as several players missed the initial part of the national camp due to club commitments. Despite the challenges, Jamil has stressed the importance of tactical discipline and patience, acknowledging the hostile atmosphere and passionate home support India will face in Singapore.
Historically, the head-to-head record between India and Singapore is closely contested. In 27 encounters, India has won 12 times, while Singapore has 11 victories, with four matches ending in a draw. However, Singapore holds the upper hand at home, with eight wins compared to India's six in 15 matches. The last time these two sides met was in 2022, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
Khalid Jamil is taking charge of the team for the first time in the qualifiers, after Manalo Marques. Jamil has named a 23-man squad, which includes goalkeepers Amrinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu; defenders Anwar Ali, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Muhammed Uvais, Pramveer, Rahul Bheke, and Sandesh Jhingan; midfielders Brandon Fernandes, Danish Farooq Bhat, Deepak Tangri, Macarton Louis Nickson, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Nikhil Prabhu, Sahal Abdul Samad, and Udanta Singh Kumam; and forwards Farukh Choudhary, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco, Rahim Ali, Sunil Chhetri, and Vikram Partap Singh.
Singapore's squad includes goalkeepers Izwan Mahbud, Rudy Khairullah, and Syazwan Buhari; defenders Amirul Adli, Irfan Najeeb, Safuwan Baharudin, Raoul Suhaimi, Ryhan Stewart, and Lionel Tan; and midfielders Joel Chew.
The match kicks off at 7:30 PM local time in Singapore, which is 5:00 PM IST. Football fans in India can follow the live action on the FanCode app or website. With the stakes high and qualification hopes hanging in the balance, Sunil Chhetri and Co. will be aiming to deliver a performance that keeps India's AFC Asian Cup 2027 dream alive.
