India look for redemption against Thailand

Back at their happy hunting ground, India would look to make amends of their solitary goal loss to Thailand last week when they take on the same opponents in their second international match in the build-up to next year's AFC Asian Cup in Qatar at the Ambedkar Stadium on Wednesday.

Bob Houghton's side lost 0-1 to a Thailand side, which was a mix of senior and Under-23 players in Bangkok on Saturday, and the home side would now seek to make it even-stevens.

Thailand are 34 places above India at 104th at FIFA rankings having played more international matches than their tomorrow's opponents but their coach Bob Robson admitted that it would be a tight match considering that he is fielding a mix of senior and Under 23 players again as he is building a team for the November Asian Games.

Houghton and his boys would be happy that they have returned to their favourite ground where they have won three international titles -- two back-to-back Nehru Cup triumphs in 2007 and 2009 and the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008, which ensured them an AFC Asian Cup qualification after 26 years.

The full house crowd in the final of the three international tournaments had prompted Houghton to declare that India could beat any Asian side other than Australia, Japan or South Korea at Ambedkar Stadium.

The football lovers of the country's capital though will miss captain and star striker Bhaichung Bhutia who is still not fully fit.

Bhaichung, who did not play in Bangkok, is unlikely to play in the next two matches here -- against Namibia on September 15 and against Gambia on September 19 -- if words of Houghton are any indication.

Asked if Bhaichung can play by September 19, Houghton said, "We have to see, he is trying to be match fit. He is not playing tomorrow for sure. But surely he will play a role in the AFC Asian Cup in January."

Despite the loss in Bangkok, the Indians would go into the match with a positive frame of mind as that match was more of an even contest though Thailand had more ball possession.

India gave the Thais a lot of trouble in the second half though they conceded the decisive goal in the 73rd minute.

"We had a very good match in Bangkok. We had some very good chances. We had lot of positives considering we were playing our first international match after the Portugal tour," Houghton said at a pre-match press conference.

"Anthony Pereira, (Sunil) Chhetri, the two centre backs (Anwar Ali and Gourmangi Singh and goalkeeper Subrata Paul had a good game," he added. One area, which Houghton would look to improve, would be the central midfield from where Climax Lawrence, who wore the captain's armband in the absence of unfit Bhaichung Bhutia, and N P Pradeep operate.

The duo could not do much in Bangkok and failed to feed the strike pair of Sunil Chhetri and debutante Mohammed Rafi.

Climax, who will also lead the side, and Pradeep were later replaced by Renedy Singh and Mehrajuddin Wadoo. Renedy though is ruled out of the match with a hamstring injury.

Houghton is unlikely to make many changes in the starting line-up of the last match with the goalkeeper Subrata Paul, who had a brilliant game in Bangkok, certain to man the Indian goal.

Chhetri is a certain starter and so is his partner Rafi.

The only likely change could be that of the left-back position with Houghton having the option to bring back N S Manju in place of veteran Mahesh Gawli.

Pradeep was also far from impressive in Bangkok but Houghton is still likely to start with him at the centre of the park along with Climax. Livewire Anthony Pereira and Steven Dias, both nimble footed, would be at right and left flanks.

Thailand though will be fielding just five players from the senior side and their 19-member squad here have just six of the 17 players fielded in Bangkok.

"We are basically building a side for the Asian Games. So what I am doing is to field only five or six of my first team in the two international friendlies against India. So I have only five players above 23," he said.

Star striker Sarayoot Chaikumdee, who scored the winning goal, has been left out as well as key midfielder Datsakorn Thonglao and defender Panupong Wongsa who captained the side in Bangkok.

But Robson has brought senior side captain and defender Nattaporn Pharnit who did not play in Bangkok. Number one goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan who also did not take field in Bangkok is also here and he is likely to play.

"It will be a tough match tomorrow and the side which converts the chances which come their way will win," said Robson, former England and Manchester United captain.