LEB vs IND Match Details
Date: Sunday, 10 September 2023
Time: 16:00 (IST)
Venue: 700th Anniversary Stadium, Thailand,
LEB vs IND Match Preview
Lebanon conceded a 2-1 loss to Thailand in the semi-finals of the King’s Cup and are only left to play for the bronze medal in the tournament. Hosts Thailand took the lead in the match right at the end of first-half with Jihad Ayoub turning the ball into his own net. Lebanon responded in the second half through Bassel Jradi’s clinical strike in the 57th minute. That proved not enough as Teerasil Dangda scored the winner for the War Elephants five minutes from time to put the side into the final. Aleksandar Ilic’s team still have a chance to win a medal which they failed to do in the last two tournaments. They face India who defeated them in the Intercontinental Cup final 2-0 and the semi-final of the SAFF Championship on penalties. Having failed to beat the Blue Tigers in three previous meetings this year, they will hope to end the losing streak on Sunday. It is easier said than done because India have conceded just one goal from open play in the last 11 matches. Although, Lebanon are the only side to have prevented them from scoring this year.
Igor Stimac’s men put up a stupendous fight against Iraq to seal a 2-2 draw, led twice but had to suffer defeat in the tie-breaker. India will argue and rightfully the referee's decision to award the late penalty to Iraq at the point the Blue Tigers were winning 2-1. Naorem Mahesh opened the scoring in sensational fashion but a handball by Sandesh Jhingan in the box allowed Ali Al Hamadi to equalize from the spot. A howler from keeper Jalal Hachim made a howler to help India retake the lead which was cancelled again by another spot-kick. This time it was converted by Ayman Hussein taking advantage of that controversial decision. Nevertheless, it was another step in the right direction for the men in blue to stop a higher-ranked nation by displaying a top-notch performance on foreign soil. Winning three trophies on the spin has given the team fantastic momentum and they will hope to carry that forward by placing them third on the podium of the King’s Cup again.
LEB vs IND Team News
Left-back Akash Mishra started the match against Iraq with a wrist injury and will continue in the position with Subhasish Bose ruled out. On the opposite flank, Nikhil Poojary could be given a rest with Asish Rai filling in. Lallianzuala Chhangte has recovered from a fever that ruled him out of the opener. The Mumbai City winger remains a doubt to start the game. Left-winger Ashique Kuruniyan is carrying a slight injury issue as is Rahim Ali. Meanwhile, Lebanon does not have injury concerns but could be making some changes from their defeat against Thailand.
LEB vs IND Predicted Lineups
LEB: Mostafa Matar; Nader Matar, Walid Shour, Kassem El Zein, Mahdi Zein; Bassel Jradi, Mohamad Haidar, Hassan Kourani; Karim Darwiche, Majed Osman, Hassan Maatouk
IND: Gurpreet Singh; Asish Rai, Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali, Akash Mishra; Anirudh Thapa, Jeakson Singh, Sahal Samad; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, Naorem Mahesh
LEB vs IND Head-to-Head
Games Played: 9
LEB won: 3
Draw: 3
IND won: 3
LEB vs IND Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Gurpreet Singh (7.5)
DEF: Matar (8), Jhingan (8) Anwar (8), Mishra (7.5)
MID: Chhangte (9), Thapa (8.5), Hassan (8.5), Sahal (9)
FW: Mahesh (9), Jradi (8.5), Maatouk (9)
Vice-captain: Naorem Mahesh or Lallianzuala Chhangte
Captain: Sahal Samad
