India vs Bahrain LIVE: The Indian national team will face two friendlies against Bahrain and Belarus in their preparation for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. The Blue Tigers will take on hosts, Bahrain on 23rd March followed by Belarus on 26th March. Follow all the Indian Football updates only on InsideSport.IN
Head coach Igor Stimac has already announced a 23-member member squad for the two friendlies and have included seven new faces who will don the Indian blue for the first time in their career. While there are new faces there are several known faces that are missing mainly due to injury of waning form.
Going through the motions ahead of the Bahrain 🇧🇭 test 🙌#BackTheBlue 💙 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/t4w55Pym4l
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 22, 2022
So let us look at the top five players who have missed the callup to the national team in their trip to Bahrain due to different circumstances.
Rowllin Borges (Mumbai City FC)
The burly Indian midfielder was once India’s main man in midfield along with Anirudh Thapa. But recently Rowllin Borges’ form and health have been a major concern. He has struggled for fitness this season and did not feature much for last season’s champions Mumbai City FC. Borges who was a crucial player for the Islanders in the last season was a major miss for Des Buckingham’s men this time.
Borges brought that raw energy and consistent approach to this Mumbai City FC outfit and helped them win the Shield and ISL trophy in the previous season. However, his time at the sidelines has been a major concern but he will hope to make a strong comeback and find his way back into the Mumbai City FC and also the Indian national team’s starting lineups.
Adil Khan (SC East Bengal)
The veteran centre back was in Igor Stimac’s plans before the currently concluded Indian Super League. Adil Khan joined SC East Bengal last summer and had a very underwhelming campaign considering his standards. The versatile defender was mostly neglected by Manolo Diaz, the former SC East Bengal head coach.
Later Mario Rivera trusted Adil and handed him some opportunities to prove himself. But there were clearly other better defenders who got called up to the national team camp. Players like Anwar Ali and Ruivah Hormipan have proven their credentials in the ISL and will be looking to continue to do in national colours.
Ashique Kuruniyan (Bengaluru FC)
Another player who has been a regular for Igor Stimac in the last couple of years has missed out due to persistent injury concerns and waning form. Ashique who is known for his athleticism and agility can really harm the oppositions. But his injury problems have hindered his growth as a player.
Ashique Kuruniyan’s absence for Bengaluru FC saw head coach Marco Pezzaiuoli try out Naorem Roshan Singh which also turned out a major success for the Blues. We hope that Ashique Kuruniyan makes a strong comeback next season and also regains his spot in the national team.
Sahal Abdul Samad (Kerala Blasters)
Probable the exclusion that will affect the Indian national team the most in their trip to Bahrain for a couple of friendlies. Sahal Abdul Samad had a stellar ISL campaign as he guided the Kerala Blasters to their third finals. Sahal could not play the semifinals or the finals due to injury and now he will miss action for the national team aswell.
Sahal had his best-ever campaign personally as Kerala Blasters head coach Ivan Vukomanovic somehow managed to get the best out of his abilities. It is not easy to hand Sahal the freedom that he needs to deliver in a system that is made around him. His exclusion was a major blow for the Blue Tigers as they take on Bahrain and Belarus.
Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)
India’s record goalscorer, Sunil Chhetri will be missed in the Bahrain trip after he suffered an injury and was ruled out of the trip. Although Chhetri was not in his element this season, it is his influence that makes a huge difference for the Blue Tigers. The Bengaluru FC striker started the season very poorly and was even benched by head coach Marco Pezzaiuoli. But he then came back and scored a few goals to regain that mojo.
Chhetri even joined the national camp organised in Pune by Igor Stimac but then he suffered an injury and was ruled out of the trip. While this gives Stimac an opportunity to try out formations with players like Liston Colaco, VP Suhair, Rahim Ali and Manvir Sigh. All of them are highly talented and have different sets of skills. They will have their chances of proving their credentials to the Croatian tactician in a couple of matches, especially in Chhetri’s absence up front.
Editors pick
