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The Indian national football team has already qualified for the 2019 AFC Asain Cup with two qualifiers still to play. The home match against Myanmar on November 14 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa will be more like a preparatory match for the ‘Blue Tigers’ and an opportunity for Stephen Constantine to check the bench strength. On the other hand, Myanmar must win this match to keep their qualification chances alive. They are going to give their all in the tough away tie.
Let us take a look at the players who might play a vital role in the upcoming match:
#5 Bikash Jairu
After a long-term injury, midfielder Bikash Jairu was called up for the national squad for the upcoming fixture against Myanmar. The man from Sikkim may not be one of the youngest on the pitch, but he is definitely a livewire, and can pose a big threat to the opposition side.
A very crafty player, Jairu can make long runs with the ball at a fast pace, which often creates an opening for the team. He played 2nd Division I-League until he caught the attention of Goa-based team Salgaocar in 2013, making his I-League debut early in 2014. The following year, he signed for East Bengal and subsequently was roped in by ISL outfit FC Pune City for the 2015 season, and finally made his International debut in 2015.
Though Eugenson Lyngdoh and Jakichand Singh have been the regulars in the midfield, the services of Jairu will also be handy for the ‘Blue Tigers’ for the all-important Asian Cup. Stephen Constantine would like to test his abilities during matches like these.
#4 Kyaw Ko Ko
From the visiting team, striker Kyaw Ko Ko is the one who can really create problems for India in the upcoming tie. The Yangon United FC star has already made his mark in the qualifying rounds scoring, a goal each against Macau in their 2-0 victory and also against Kyrgyzstan in the 2-2 draw last month.
A two time Myanmar National League champion with the Yangon based club, he is one of the most experienced players of the squad. Along with Aung Thu, the Burmese duo will push hard to find the back of the net in the challenging away fixture.
#3 Sandesh Jhingan
Sandesh Jhingan has been a stalwart at the heart of the Indian defence for the past couple of years, and was of great help during the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. He is at the peak of his form and his services were secured by ISL outfit Kerala Blasters for Rs 3.8 crores, making him the highest paid Indian defender.
India have already qualified for the AFC Asian Cup, with 4 wins from as many games, but the remarkable fact is that the ‘Blue Tigers’ have conceded only one goal. It proves that the backline of the team has done their work to perfection.
India will face an uphill task during the 2019 Asian Cup and the defence needs to be organised and strong, as they will face heavyweights. The matches ahead of the mega event will help India recognise the perfect combination at the back.
#2 Aung Thu
Aung Thu scored a goal in the qualifier against Kyrgyzstan last month but he is expected to do much more in the tie against India. With just one win under their belt and four points in the bag, a win is a must for them at the Fatorda Stadium, in Goa on November 14.
He is by far the most effective footballer from the visiting team and the chances of Myanmar qualifying for their maiden AFC Asian Cup rest on him. It was due to his individual brilliance that the Myanmar U-19 team qualified for the 2015 U-20 World Cup and even scored a goal in the tournament.
The two-time Myanmar national team player of the year will be the man to watch out for and is going to give a tough time for the Indian defenders.
#1 Jeje Lalpekhlua
Jeje Lalpekhlua has shown what he is capable of doing, but the limelight has somewhat shifted to his former Mohun Bagan teammate Balwant Singh in the last few matches, especially after his brace against Macau in the Asian Cup qualifiers and the winner against Mauritius during the Tri-nation Cup in Mumbai.
With Balwant set to miss the tie against Myanmar due to an ankle injury, Jeje will have an added responsibility. It will give him another chance to establish himself as the first choice striker, alongside the talismanic Sunil Chhetri. Jeje is a player who rises to the occasion; he scored the equaliser against Afghanistan in the final of the 2015 SAFF Cup.
India will be featuring in such a high profile tournament like the AFC Asian Cup 2019 after a gap of eight years, so these matches will be like preparations for the showpiece event. It will be helpful for important players like Jeje Lalpehklua to gain experience in the build-up to the Asian Cup
