KOLKATA, INDIA: The most historic occasion in Indian football, India vs Brazil, is now within touching distance of being played at the Salt Lake Stadium in Calcutta on Saturday, October 3. The home team come here on the back of a courageous 1-1 draw with Panama in Bengaluru in what was labelled as the most iconic draw in the nation’s history. Brazil, meanwhile, arrive after drawing and beating Australia once each.
There is simply no contest between the two teams on paper, as Brazil have won the FIFA World Cup five times, and India have never qualified for it. But football is not played on paper. In this article, we preview the fixture by outlining the strengths of both teams and predicting their starting XIs. We also tell you where you can watch this game live at home if you are unable to make it to east Calcutta.
What are India’s strengths?
India‘s biggest strength lies in their defensive shape. Against Panama, coach Khalid Jamil operated with his trademark 4-4-2, which focused on a low defensive block. This meant that most spaces between their midfield and central defence were closed, and their wide-lying midfielders had enough time to track their opponents’ runs. India were also unfazed by Panama’s fluid formation.
In India vs Brazil, the home team will have to resort to using direct balls in attack since their low vertical press will prevent them from using the flanks. Jamil has also preferred four midfielders to cushion his backline. The inversion of right-back Abhishek Singh and positioning of Akash Mishra as the left wing-back will allow Ryan Williams to make runs behind the Brazil defenders if they play a high line.
India vs Brazil: India predicted lineup [4-4-2]: Sandhu; Mishra, Anwar, Varghese, Abhishek; Kuruniyan, Apuia, Shabong, Manvir; Lalrindika, Williams.
Brazil’s flamboyance is their trademark
Brazil are such a flamboyant side in attack that they have patented the concept of isolating one flank while overloading the other. The former will be possible, of course, only by drawing a couple of Indian players out of position to help the creation of chances in the latter. Against India, quick bursts of passing along with timely runs while interchanging the wings will be Brazil’s de facto strategy in attack.
Coach Ancelotti spoke about giving opportunities to youngsters to showcase their worth on the eve of the game, as Brazil know the importance of adding depth to their midfield. Characteristically, the Selecao look to regain possession as soon as they have lost it, and this will mean implementing a counter-press that begins from the attacker who has just been dispossessed. Midfield and defence take up the invitation soon afterwards.
India vs Brazil: Brazil predicted lineup [4-3-3]: Souza; Santos, Reis, Marquinhos, Matheuzinho; Martinelli, Guimaraes/Santos, Bidon; Estevao, Endrick, Rayan.
India vs Brazil Prediction
There is simply no contest between the two sides in this historic India vs Brazil encounter. Brazil have won the FIFA World Cup on five occasions, while India are yet to qualify for one. The visitors are ranked fifth by FIFA, whereas the Indians are perched 133 spots below them. The Selecao are expected to hand out a sound thrashing to the home team.
Anything short of a five-goal margin will be seen as a defeat for the visitors. The hosts will treat this largely as an exercise in testing their wares against the most élite football team in the world. Some frailties, already exposed by Panama last week, may now be exposed for the world to see. Nonetheless, the experience India gain from this encounter will be inestimable, and that will be a triumph in itself.
PREDICTED SCORE: Brazil 6-1 India
Where can I watch India vs Brazil?
The India vs Brazil friendly in the ongoing FIFA international window will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network. It will also be streamed live on Sony LIV. The match kicks off at 7:30 PM IST on Saturday, October 3, in Calcutta (Kolkata).
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Cover image courtesy: X/IndianFootball
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