India look to extend good home form against Vanuatu
India is poised to maintain its winning streak as it prepares to face off against Vanuatu in the second round of the highly anticipated Intercontinental Cup league fixtures. The exhilarating match will take place at the prestigious Kalinga Stadium on Monday. After a convincing 2-0 triumph over Mongolia in the opening round, India is determined to secure another victory.
On the other hand, Vanuatu faced a setback in their initial match, succumbing to a 1-3 defeat against Lebanon. With the top two teams in the league standings advancing to the final, a win against the 164th-ranked Vanuatu would bring India closer to the coveted title round.
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India’s Impressive Performance and Coach Stimac’s Optimism
India’s head coach, Igor Stimac, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance against Mongolia, marking their sixth consecutive victory on home soil. Reflecting on the team’s hard work and dedication, Stimac stated, “We have more games this month, and I am confident that the boys’ efforts on the field will reap rewards.” As India participates in the ongoing tournament and gears up for the upcoming SAFF Championship later this month, Stimac remains optimistic about their chances for success.
Challenges Faced by Vanuatu
Vanuatu, similar to Mongolia, will be playing their first match against India. Acknowledging the difficulties they face, Vanuatu’s head coach, Etienne Mermer, shared his thoughts after their encounter with Lebanon. “We anticipated a tough match, but we put up a good fight against Lebanon. Being here is a remarkable experience for the Vanuatu team, as we have never faced opponents like India, Lebanon, and Mongolia before.
Playing in Asia always presents a challenge,” Mermer remarked. Notably, Vanuatu had previously hosted an under-18 Indian side in 2019, losing 1-0 during an OFC youth development tournament in Port Vila. From the current senior Indian squad, left-back Akash Mishra is the sole player who was part of that victorious junior team.
Assessing Vanuatu’s Strengths
After analyzing Vanuatu’s performance in their match against Lebanon, Coach Stimac highlighted the physicality of the Vanuatu side. “Based on what we witnessed in Vanuatu’s game against Lebanon, it’s evident that they possess great physical strength. They have their own set of strengths and weaknesses, so we need to be prepared for a challenging match,” Stimac emphasized.
