World Cup Qualifiers: India host Guam in search for elusive first win
India take on Guam in their next 2018 World Cup Qualification fixture in Bengaluru tonight, in what represents a golden opportunity for the home team to finally get on the board.
After five matches, India are at the bottom of Group D in the second round of 2018 World Cup Qualification for Asian Football Confederation (AFC) teams. Mathematically, the Blue Tigers are still in contention for a place in the next round, with three games remaining. At this point, however, manager Stephen Constantine's biggest expectation is for his team to win their first points of this qualification stage.
A tired and under-prepared India lost 0-3 against Oman in their last game and maintained their win-less streak since their win against Nepal at home, in the preliminary rounds.
This home match against 155th ranked Guam represents India's best opportunity to win a game in this group. However, Constantine has refused to undermine the opponents, who have a lot of players plying their trade in the Major Legaue Soccer (MLS) in the Unites States.
"They may be a Guam team but most of their players ply their trade in USA. We didn’t play particularly well in which has been the case in all of our away games so far. Three games later, we are a better side than we were then. I have respect for Guam and their coach (Gary White) as they do us. But we need the points to give ourselves the chance of making the playoffs," Constantine said in the pre-match press conference.
Guam still harbor a lot of hopes of qualifying to the next stage with two wins and a draw in their five matches. But the Matao have not won a game since their 2-1 win against India, and are heading into this game on the back of a 0-1 loss against Turkmenistan.
India have only one injury concern ahead of this game with Pronay Halder being released from the squad due to a right knee injury. The defensive midfielder was advised by the national team's medical staff to take rest and recuperate ahead of this important clash, but he played for FC Goa in the Indian Super League and aggravated his injury.
Guam will be missing their goalkeeper Dallas Jeye, who has not traveled with the team due to his commitments in the United States.