Indian men’s football team will take on Myanmar and the Kyrgyz Republic on March 22 and 28, respectively, in the Hero Tri-Nation International Football Tournament 2023 at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal.
It will be for the first time that the Indian men’s football team will be playing international matches in Imphal. A 23-member provisional Indian squad and 10 reserves for the Tri-Nation Friendly Tournament were announced last week.
The Indian team will be led by prolific striker Sunil Chhetri. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu will be India’s No. 1 goalkeeper while the defensive unit will be manned by Sandesh Jhingan.
India, ranked 106 in FIFA Rankings for men’s teams, enjoy a favourable head-to-head record against world No. 159 Myanmar and world No. 94 Kyrgyz Republic. Against Myanmar, India has won three matches, lost one, and drawn one. Against Kyrgyz Republic, India has won thrice and lost once in four matches.
The Indian team coach Igor Stimac will also be keen to try out new combinations in these two matches with AFC Asian Cup 2023 scheduled in Qatar later this year.
“Our goal is to use each second of our time in the best way we can. We are talking about different levels of play here. We have certain players and a certain style of play, and a plan to go ahead. All will get a chance,” Igor Stimac told the All India Football Federation (AIFF) website ahead of the tournament.
Where to watch Hero Tri-Nation International Football Tournament 2023 live in India?
The Hero Tri-Nation International Football Tournament 2023 matches will be telecast live on Star Sports 3 and Star Sports 3 HD.
The Hero Tri-Nation International Football Tournament 2023 matches will be streamed live on Disney+ Hotstar.
Hero Tri-Nation International Football Tournament 2023 schedule and live match start times
As per the Indian Standard Times (IST)
Date |
Match |
Venue |
Time |
March 22, Wednesday |
India vs Myanmar |
Khuman Lampak Stadium, Imphal |
6:00 PM |
March 25, Saturday |
Myanmar vs Kyrgyz Republic |
Khuman Lampak Stadium, Imphal |
6:00 PM |
March 28, Tuesday |
India vs Kyrgyz Republic |
Khuman Lampak Stadium, Imphal |
6:00 PM |
India national football team squad for Hero Tri-Nation International Football Tournament 2023
Head Coach: Igor Stimac
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Phurba Lachenpa Tempa, Amrinder Singh; Reserves: Vishal Kaith, Prabhsukhan Gill
Forwards: Manvir Singh, Sunil Chhetri (captain), Naorem Mahesh Singh; Reserves: Ishan Pandita
Midfielders: Suresh Wangjam, Rohit Kumar, Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Yasir Mohammad, Ritwik Das, Jeakson Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Bipin Singh; Reserves: Liston Colaco, Nikhil Poojary, Sahal Abdul Samad, Naorem Mahesh Singh
Defenders: Sandesh Jhingan, Roshan Singh, Anwar Ali, Akash Mishra, Chinglensana Konsham, Rahul Bheke, Mehtab Singh, Pritam Kotal; Reserves: Subhasish Bose, Asish Rai, Narender Gahlot
Photo Credit: Alamy