Looking to keep their slim chances of reaching the third round alive, Afghanistan will lock horns with India in AFC World Cup qualifying on Thursday night at Damac Stadium in Saudi Arabia.
The Lions of Khorasan are yet to earn a point in Group A following defeats to Kuwait and Qatar, whereas the Blue Tigers have managed to collect three points from their opening two matches in the section.
Match preview
After failing to feature at the Asian Cup in Qatar earlier in the year, Afghanistan still have back-to-back defeats in World Cup qualifying in November at the forefront of their minds, with the Lions of Khorasan scoring once and conceding 12 goals in their opening two contests of Group A.
A trip to section favourites Qatar in the first match was always destined to be an extremely stern test, and despite Amredin Sharifi momentarily equalising for Afghanistan at Khalifa International Stadium in the first half, seven further goals for the 2022 World Cup hosts handed the visitors an 8-1 loss.
The Lions of Khorasan have won just two of their last 13 international matches, with both of those successes coming against minnows Mongolia in October 2023 during the first round of qualification for the 2026 World Cup, with Thursday's hosts managing to keep a clean sheet for both legs.
Despite a modest history on the international stage, there is hope that this current crop of Afghanistan players can inspire the next generation to reach the World Cup in the future, with Australian-born midfielder Jawad Rezai speaking openly ahead of Thursday's clash about capturing the attention of his country.
Following spells in India as manager of Punjab FC and Bengaluru, Ashley Westwood has taken charge of the reigns as head coach of the Lions of Khorasan, with the 47-year-old having extensive experience of the English game at the likes of Northampton Town and Lincoln City during his playing career.
Suffering four-straight defeats across all competitions for the first time in over six years, India are on a comeback mission in this month's World Cup qualifiers after being dumped out of the Asian Cup at the group stage in January, failing to score or collect a single point.
Strikes from Jordan Bos and Jackson Irvine handed Australia a highly-expected 2-0 win during India's first match at the major tournament in Qatar, but it is losses to Uzbekistan and Syria that really upset the Blue Tigers faithful as their side exited the competition with a whimper.
Heading towards five years in charge of the India national side, Igor Stimac has targeted the upcoming double-header versus Afghanistan as the ideal opportunity to get their Group A ambitions back on track, with the Croatian said to be a father figure to many in the first-team squad.
India have earned three points from their opening two fixtures in the section after narrowly defeating second-placed Kuwait on matchday one at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City, with a cultured second-half effort from Manvir Singh enough to secure maximum points on the road.
Despite having a population of one billion, the Blue Tigers have never managed to qualify for the World Cup, and boss Stimac has recently stated that just reaching the third round of qualifying would be a monumental achievement for a nation who have a long way to go before they compete with Asian's elite.
Team News
Despite impressing for Southend United in the fifth tier of English football, Noor Husin will not be part of Afghanistan's squad this month and will stay at Roots Hall over the international break.
Fortis attacker Sharifi should keep his spot in the side after finding the net in November against Qatar, with 35-year-old Bilal Arezou likely to complete the two-man forward line.
India are set to be without the services of defender Sandesh Jhingan this month, with the 30-year-old picking up a knee injury during the Asian Cup loss to Syria in January and failing to feature competitively since.
Ashique Kuruniyan is another key Blue Tigers player who will not be involved on Thursday night, with the 30-time international still recovering from an ACL injury.
East Bengal's Lalchungnunga will also miss out on this month's contests after sustaining a knock during the Kolkata derby versus Mohun Bagan on March 10.
Afghanistan possible starting lineup:
Azizi; Nzary, Hanifi, Amiri, Askar; Asekzai, Skandari, Popalzay, Azadzoy; Sharifi, Arezou
India possible starting lineup:
Sandhu; Bheke, Poojari, Bose, Mishara; Lalengmawia, Tangri; Chhangte, Chhetri, N Singh; M Singh
We say: Afghanistan 1-2 India
Despite heavy defeats in their opening two matches of Group A, Afghanistan will be confident of earning a point against India on Thursday night.
The Blue Tigers are in the midst of a rut, but this week's clash represents the perfect opportunity to returning to winning ways for the first time in 2024.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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