Intercontinental Cup: India looking to fix holes in the finals against Kenya

KENYA earned a rematch with hosts India after they beat Chinese Taipei with a big margin. India, with two wins and a loss got a ticket to the final of the short one-time tournament. Kenya bringing in a host of players who are not their first team crumbled against a full-strength India.

For India, this tournament serves as a preparation for the 2019 Asian Cup in U.A.E early next year. Kenya replacing South Africa for the African continental region after the southern nation of Africa pulled out.

India have conceded two goals in the three matches played and both were in one game. Notably, Gupreet did not take the gloves against New Zealand after having kept two clean sheets. On the defensive end, India are sweating about the fitness of defender Sandhesh Jhingan who has been battling a shoulder problem for a few months now. The working partnership between Jhingan and Anas Edathodika has been ever reliable. Salam Ranjan Singh can play center-half but has not had enough time on the national field. Bose and Kotal are the preferred wing backs for India in the tournament.

Udanta and Narzary have occupied wings and look set to start in the final  The center of the field is where India are yet to find a stable partnership. Thapa and Halder looked to complement each other with their playing styles but the creativity needs to be coupled with physicality to avoid giving away free kicks in dangerous positions.

Ashique has been catching everyone's eye after getting a lot of game time but a start in the final of a tournament does not look likely. Chhetri and Jeje have been India’s best team for goals and assists and may be tightly held up by Kenyan defence. It is their form that is crucial to help India get into goal scoring mode.

For Kenya, their key men are Odhiambo and Atudo. Kenya prefers a 4-3-3 formation with wingers moving a lot behind the defence. Kenya will be wanting to get back to India for a thumping loss. Even in the India-Kenya, the Indian defence was caught off guard with the quick transitioning Kenyan team. The India central channel will have to be watchful for those midfield moves.

Final kicks off on June 10 at 8 pm at the Mumbai Football Arena.