Amman: Despite missing talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri, the Indian team will fancy their chances when they take on Jordan in an international friendly here Saturday – a preparation for the AFC Asian Cup, starting January 5 next year.
However, India will take confidence from their goalless draw against a much higher-ranked China — managed by World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi — in their previous friendly last month.
With only about two months to go for the Asian Cup, the upcoming friendly provides Constantine as the last opportunity to analyse his squad and ready his backup plans.
Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu will lead the backline which will have Pritam Kotal, Sandesh Jhingan, Narayan Das and probably Subhasish Bose.
India’s defence impressed against Lippi’s China but Constantine will be banking on his midfield and attack to have an influence in the match against a Jordan side whose form has been patchy.
Jordan, ranked 15 spots below India, last won a match in May when they defeated Cyprus 3-0. In their last four games, they have had two draws and two defeats, capping with a 1-2 loss to Croatia in October.
The likes of Udanta Singh, Pronay Halder, Halicharan Narzary and Anirudh Thapa are likely to control possession in the midfield against a Jordan side that will look to hit on the counter in the absence of a few attacking players.
In the absence of Chhetri, experienced men like Jeje Lalpekhlua and Balwant Singh will need to take up the mantle up front. While the former has struggled in front of goal, the latter’s form is encouraging.
“We want to do well in the AFC Asian Cup and the clash against Jordan will aid us. Jordan are a good side and they have a number of good players in their ranks,” Constantine said ahead of the match.
