—————————————————————————————————

So this is the situation of group A after 2 games of the AFC Cup. The last matchday sees :

India v Turkmenistan

Tajikistan v Afghanistan

Scenarios:

Afghanistan are out of the tournament and cant make it at all.

If Tajikistan secure anything less than a win, they’re out.

If Tajikistan win against Afghans, and there is a winner in the first game, then Tajikistan go through with the winner of the first game.

If Tajikistan win and the India game ends in a draw. It will come down to goal difference. Turkmenistan have a formidable +5 difference which will see them through. That means that if the India v Turkmenistan game ends in a draw, Tajikistan will have to beat Afghans by 2 goals to go through and India will be out.

Preview:

India had rested a few players for their second game. But all of them will be back for the huge clash against Turkmenistan. India are playing at home in front of their home fans and there is added pressure on them to qualify especially as the winner gets a place in 2010 Asiad.

Bhaichung Bhutia, NP Pradeep should return to the starting eleven. Bhutia will partner Sunil Chetri up front with Climax Lawrence, Steven Dias and Clifford Miranda in the midfield. India coach Bob Houghton did confirm these changes. He said, “Surkumar played for 45 minutes and Dias for the whole ninety minutes. Renedy, Pradeep and Surkumar will be back. Players like Chhetri, Climax and Anwar have young and fresh legs, but the older players need a rest. Had India been 2-0 up, I would not have brought Baichung on. He is 32 years old, and can’t play five games in ten days. We have an important match on Sunday, and would like to top the group so as to avoid DPR Korea in the semi-final.”

India’s main aim will be to mark midfielder Ovekov Guvanchmuhamed, who scored four times on Friday against a haphazard Afghanistan side. If they do manage to keep him quiet, and get the result that they are desperately looking for, a semi-final berth awaits them. We will try to get you the post-match analysis as well.