The Indian senior national team takes on Oman in an away fixture of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Preliminary Joint Qualification on Tuesday night at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Oman.
The return leg of the AFC matches for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers from Group D get under way for India now, and Stephen Constantine's side will now be keen on atleast gaining some points after four losses on the trot in the competition thus far.
India lost to Oman in the first game earlier this year, and they followed it up with back-to-back losses against Guam, Iran, and Turkmenistan.
Sunil Chhetri remained on the scoresheet in the 2-1 defeat for India in the first leg match against Oman earlier this year, played at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. Looking ahead to tonight's game, Chhetri maintained that the team are focusing on keeping all the negativities aside and looking ahead for a memorable outing.
"We obviously take confidence from that game [first leg against Oman]. But at that time we were playing at Home and now we are playing away," Chhetri said at the pre-match presser. "We are yet to garner points and definitely want to change the trend. We aim to keep all the negatives away and not project it as a reason as to why we are weak," he added.
British coach Constantine has explained that the reason for the poor results so far has not been due to the lack of motivation. "Motivation isn't a problem ever," the ex-Rwanda tactician added. "Friends and your families watch you when you play for the National Team. The desire of representing your Country is always there."
Looking ahead to the game tonight, Constantine said that the sole aim of his men will be to give a fight, and prevent a loss at any cost.
"We have respect for Oman but we are here to play and we will fight. We didn't come here to lose. We don't go anywhere to lose," Constantine continued.
"I have been here for seven games and am trying to build a Team for the next five years as it was necessary to induce new blood," he added.
Team news
India -- Star midfielder Eugeneson Lyngdoh will be missing the game today, as he is suspended after picking up two yellow cards.
Oman -- Star striker Amad Al-Hosni looks fit to lead the attacking front for the home side. The 31-year-old remained on the scoresheet when Oman faced India this year.
Expected line-ups
India: Gurpreet Singh Sandu; Dhanachandra Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Arnab Mondal, Pritam Kotal; Pronay Haldar, Rowlin Borges, Robin Singh, Francis Fernandes; Sunil Chhetri, Jeje Lalpekhlua.
Oman: Ali Al-Habsi; Al-Busaidi, Abdul Salam Al-Mukhaini, Mohammed Al-Musalami, Saad Suhail; Qasim Said, Eid Al-Farsi, Ahmed Mubarak Al-Mahaijri, Raed Ibrahim Saleh; Saud Al-Farsi, Amad Al-Hosni.
Where to follow the updates
India vs Oman kicks off at 8pm IST from the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Oman on Tuesday, 13 October, 2015.
The match will be broadcast on SONY SIX HD and SONY KIX, with online live streaming in India on Liv Sports. The updates from the match can also be found on the official AIFF Twitter handle and the official Facebook page.
HERE is the full squad of the away side for the match.
Catch the match report of the India vs Turkmenistan game HERE.
