India vs Kuwait Highlights, FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Manvir Singh Helps Blue Tigers Win 1-0

FULL TIME! Manvir Singh’s strike in the 75th minute is enough for India to get a win and crucial three points against 10-man Kuwait!

90+7′ – Two more changes as Sunil Chhetri and Suresh Singh are replaced by Rahul KP and Rohit Kumar.

90+4′ – RED CARD! Faisal Alharbi is sent off! The referee is not happy with his high boot as he sees his second yellow in a span of two minutes and is walking down the tunnel.

90+2′ Some real rock-metal football for a few moments and ends with Faisal Alharbi catching Anirudh Thapa. The referee takes down his name for a yellow card.

87′ – Kuwait are not giving up on this game are doubling down on the attacking efforts. India’s defenders are standing strong in the face of pressure.

83′ – Igor Stimac makes two more changes. Anirudh Thapa and Liston Colaco replaces Sahal Abdul Samad and Manvir Singh.

80′ – Some confusion but Gurpreet Singh Sandhu keeps his composure and manages to hold onto the loose ball. Danger averted.

75′ – GOAL! Manvir Singh gives India the lead with a stunning strike! India lead.

Brilliant pace of attack from the Blue Tigers as Chhangte is released down the left and he sends in an early cross as Manvir rushes in to slot the ball into the back of the net.

69′ – Good passing moves from India but have found their final passes being caught by the off-side trap.

Meanwhile, Hamad Alqallaf goes into the referee’s book for his challenge on Manvir.

64′ – Igor Stimac makes the first change for India as Lallianzuala Chhangte comes on for Mahesh Naorem.

57′ – Manvir Singh manages to get a cross in from the right but no one is in the box to meet the pass. Chhetri tried his best but seemed he was not expecting it.

53′ – Kuwait are pilling on the pressure in the opening minutes of the second half. India’s talisman Sunuil Chheri though is non-stop with his pressing even at the age of 39!

48′ – Mohammad Abdulah’s cross from the right finds its way over to Fahad Al Hajeri, whose header is just over the bar and India sigh relief.

2nd HALF! India national football team and Kuwait national football team get us back underway at the Jaber Al-ahmad International Stadium.

HALF TIME – It is still goalless as Sunil Chhetri came the closest to scoring for India. The defenders too have done well so far in keeping a clean sheet.

43′ – India have been doing well to win back the ball every time they happen to lose it, especially in the closing minutes of the half. The pressure from the Indian attackers as well as the mid-fielders has been top-notch.

38′ – Indian defenders have done really well tonight in keeping the attacks at bay as Kuwait have been forced to take shots from some distance. India’s problem too has been in attack as their final pass or move has been found to be lacking.

33′ – It is still goalless as Sunil Chhetri came the losest for India to open the scoring. Nikhil Poojary and the other defenders too have done well so far in keeping trouble away from their goal.

27′ – India get a free-kick from the right wing as Mahesh sends in a delicious cross. Akash Mishra almost got to the ball but the Kuwait defender did and the keeper gathered the ball.

23′ – The game has suddenly sparked into life as India are keeping possession nicely even though Kuwait are putting more and more pressure.

19′ – What a move from India! Good passing and the long ball from the back is headed on by Manvir as Sahal gives chase. Even though he is muscled off the ball, the ball is recycled and finds its way over to Poojary on the right. His cross into the middle finds Chhetri, whose shot is just over the crossbar.

17′ – India and Kuwait are playing the waiting game and counting on the other to make a mistake. Solid defence from both sides. First game after all.

13′ – Kuwait are keeping the ball rather comfortably as India are not too keen to get it back. The defenders are keeping their shape and thwarting advances from the hosts so far.

8′ – Mahesh Naorem sends in a beautiful cross over the defenders as Sunil Chhetri chases it down but it is marshalled to the corner as India recycles the possession. Manvir Singh’s shot in the end is not close.

4′- Kuwait are pressing from the word go and are not letting India keep the ball even for a second without pressure. The Indian players though have managed it well and are trying to move up the pitch with intricate passes.

KICK OFF! India national football team and Kuwait national football team get us underway at the Jaber Al-ahmad International Stadium.

Al Khaldi has scored nine goals in 26 appearances for Kuwait and is their go-to man for goals in big matches. Playing in front of their home crowd, Al-Khaldi will be itching to make a mark on the big stage.

But he will be up against another player who relishes the big occasion in Sandesh Jhingan. He has been a rock in the Indian defence for a good part of the last decade and continues to be the leader of the pack. His ability on the ground and in the air makes him an able defender that India will need to be at his best in Kuwait on Thursday, especially with Al-Khaldi lurking around.

Al Enezi is the anchor in the Kuwait midfield and the man responsible for allowing the attacking players to work their magic. However, against India, his hands will be full having to deal with the threat of Sahal Abdul Samad who likes to float in between the defensive and midfield lines and link up the attacks.

Sahal has been in tremendous form in the ISL for Mohun Bagan Super Giant and has always stepped it up in the blue of India. Sahal possesses the ability to create something out of nothing and Al Enezi will have to bring all his qualities to the fore to keep the former Kerala Blasters FC midfielder quiet.

The battle between the two captains will be a direct contest on the field as Al-Hajeri who has made 69 appearances for Kuwait will go head to head with Sunil Chhetri who has established himself as one of the icons in Asian football.

Chhetri who is only behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the list of top active international goalscorers is India’s man for the big occasion and has netted nine times in FIFA World Cup qualifiers in his career. Al-Hajeri’s job will be to keep Chhetri away from goal which can go a long way in keeping India off the scoresheet. The Kuwait skipper is also a clever centre-back who has plenty of experience under his belt and would be aware of the threat the India captain poses after their recent meetings.

The clash is also crucial as Kuwait and India are set to be the prime candidates for bagging the second spot in the group as far as FIFA rankings are concerned with Qatar being big favourites to to finish on top of the table. Thus India’s games with Kuwait could go a long way in determining their destiny.

Even though the Blue Tigers are the higher-ranked team in this fixture, Kuwait proved in the SAFF Championship that they can go toe-to-toe with the Blue Togers after the two sides played out two draws in the competition.

Sunil Chhetri and Co prevailed over Kuwait in the final on penalties but will face a different kind of challenge with Kuwait enjoying the home advantage.

Kuwait: 136

India: 102

India Form: LLDDD

India’s excellent record in 2023 has somewhat been tarnished by recent defeats but Stimac’s side have won seven out of the 14 matches they have played this calendar year and have won three trophies in the process.

The Blue Tigers are winless in their last five matches but they emerged on the winning side in the penalty shootout in two of those three draws. India were unlucky to lose to Malaysia in their last match with key refereeing decisions going against them.

However, their form guide isn’t an indicator of the quality of football they have played this year and they are capable of causing Kuwait problems in their backyard.

Kuwait Form: DWLLW

The Kuwait national football team has showcased resilience and impressive performances in their recent outings. In the 15 matches played this year, they emerged victorious in nine, drew three, and faced three defeats. It’s worth noting that two of these losses occurred in their last three matches. Since their defeat to India in the SAFF Championship final on penalties, Kuwait has secured two wins but also suffered two losses.

Kuwait Starting XI – Andul Rahman Marzouq, Hasan Al Anezi, Kahled Ibrahim, Fahad Al Hajeri, Mohsen Ghareeb, Sultan Alenezi, Mubarak Al Faneni, Redha Abujabarah, Athbi Saleh, Shabaib Al Khaldi, Mohammad Abdulah

India Starting XI: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Nikhil Poojary, Akash Mishra, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan, Apiua, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Sahal Abdul Samad, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Sunil Chhetri, Manvir Singh

The Jaber Al-ahmad International Stadium is the stage of today’s contest.

The Indian men’s football team will begin their quest for qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they take on Kuwait in the second round of qualifiers.