The Indian national football team will take the field for the first time in 16 months when they face Oman in an international friendly on March 25 at Dubai’s Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium.
Following that, India will then take on the United Arab Emirates at the Zabeel Stadium on March 29.
It was in November 2019 that the Blue Tigers had last played an international game, which was incidentally against Oman in a FIFA World Cup qualifier. India lost the game 1-0 courtesy of a 33rd-minute goal from Muhsen Al-Ghassani.
In the upcoming match against Oman, national team coach Igor Stimac has made several changes to his team, with as many as 10 new faces getting a national team call.
The biggest name missing will be captain Sunil Chhetri, who has been sidelined as he continues his recovery after testing positive for the virus. The 36-year-old, who is India’s all-time top scorer, will miss both the friendlies.
This will be the 10th meeting between the two sides and as far as the India vs Oman head-to-head record is concerned, Oman outrightly edges ahead, with six wins and just one defeat in nine matches.
India’s last win over Oman was a 4-1 domination which dates back to September 21, 1994. Watch India vs Oman live.
Indian football team squad for Oman friendly
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Dheeraj Singh.
Defenders: Ashutosh Mehta, Akash Mishra, Pritam Kotal, Sandesh Jhingan, Chinglensana Singh, Adil Khan, Mandar Rao Dessai, Mashoor Shereef.
Midfielders: Rowllin Borges, Lalengmawia, Jeakson Singh, Raynier Fernandes, Anirudh Thapa, Bipin Singh, Yasir Mohammad, Suresh Singh, Halicharan Narzary, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Ashique Kuruniyan.
Forwards: Manvir Singh, Ishan Pandita, Hitesh Sharma, Liston Colaco.
Where to watch India vs Oman live in India?
Both India’s international friendlies against Oman and UAE will be telecast live at 7:15 PM and 9:45 PM, respectively on the Eurosport TV channel in India.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Biju Boro
