Taskmaster: Coach Stimac, proper, watches his wards put together for the large recreation in opposition to Kuwait.| Photo Credit: Ok. MURALI KUMAR

India will face its hardest take a look at but on the SAFF Championship when it takes on Kuwait within the last Group-A contest on the Sree Kanteerava Stadium right here on Tuesday.

Both groups are already into the semifinals after having received their opening two fixtures. But at stake is the place of the table-topper, for which India wants a win and nothing much less. A draw can be sufficient for the guests, for the edges are tied on goal-difference however Kuwait is forward on objectives scored (7 to six).

Kuwait could also be ranked 143 on the planet – 42 locations beneath India – however that quantity is misleading at finest. The Rui Bento-coached outfit has been spectacular this event and has seemed each bit the aspect that notched up wins over Tajikistan, Philippines and the United Arab Emirates this yr, all higher-ranked opponents.

A superb measure of the place India and Kuwait stand could be gauged by how they fared of their respective final matches. India made eight modifications in opposition to Nepal and struggled, particularly within the first half, earlier than successful 2-0. Kuwait shuffled round 9 of its gamers versus Pakistan and nonetheless romped house 4-0.

But India can draw power from the truth that it has not conceded for eight straight video games. It can be set to welcome head coach Igor Stimac again to the touchline after his one-match suspension for the red-card offence in opposition to Pakistan.

“We made a lot of changes in the last game to make sure we’ve got everybody fit, ready and motivated,” Stimac informed AIFF, forward of the Kuwait match. “Against Nepal, we didn’t execute the first half well as we didn’t stick to the plan.

“We weren’t marking tightly and winning aerial duels. We changed a few things, and the second half worked to perfection. Some phenomenal moves and passing,” the Croat added.

India and Kuwait haven’t met in latest instances, so there isn’t any expertise to attract upon. The earlier tie was the truth is a pleasant approach again in 2010 in Abu Dhabi which the West Asians received by an enormous 9-1 margin.

The India of as we speak wish to imagine it’s significantly better than that consequence. Tuesday is an opportunity to show that to a new-age Indian viewers.