Is Thailand a Good Test for India Before Facing Hong Kong?

Kolkata, May 26 (NationPress) The Indian men's national team is currently engaged in rigorous preparations in Kolkata, as the Blue Tigers ready themselves for the critical AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Final Round match against Hong Kong set for June 10.

Midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam asserts that the upcoming friendly match against Thailand on June 4 will serve as an excellent opportunity to prepare for the crucial encounter in Kowloon, Hong Kong.

"The positive aspect is that we will be competing against Thailand, who I believe are a comparable opponent," Suresh remarked.

"After a break of 15 to 20 days post the domestic season, we commenced our camp on the 18th of this month. We are progressively finding our rhythm, and participating in an international friendly before facing Hong Kong is essential. This match will be a valuable test for us, allowing us to gauge our readiness," he added.

The previous encounter between India and Thailand saw the Blue Tigers secure a 1-0 victory in June 2019, during which Wangjam was part of the Indian Arrows and had yet to make his senior international debut. However, he does carry the experience of playing against Hong Kong, where India achieved a 4-0 triumph in the last AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers held in Kolkata in June 2022.

With 33 caps to his name, that remains Wangjam's most significant victory in India's colors. Yet, the 24-year-old recalls that despite the favorable scoreline, the match was far from straightforward.

"When we faced Hong Kong in the last Asian Cup Qualifiers, they proved to be a competent team, well-structured. Thus, the upcoming game, especially on their turf, will be challenging. Our preparations have been solid. After six training sessions, we are improving daily. Everyone is aware that only one team from our group will qualify for the Asian Cup, making it crucial for us to accumulate as many points as possible," explained the Bengaluru FC midfielder.

The last Asian Cup Qualifiers were conducted in a centralized format due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the AFC has reverted to the traditional home-and-away format for the final round this time. This means each team will contest six matches over a span of 12 months from March 2025 to March 2026.

India's Group C includes Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangladesh, with the Blue Tigers having drawn 0-0 in their opening match against Bangladesh. Only the group winner will secure a spot in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.

"If you ask any player or staff member, our long-term ambition is to qualify for the Asian Cup. However, we must approach it one game at a time. Our current focus is solely on Hong Kong. Our fans have always supported us, and we ask them to stand by us through all challenges," Wangjam stated.

"Hong Kong is performing well, but our concentration remains on our own game. We are analyzing our opponents and will adhere to our strategy, hoping for a successful outcome when we face them," Wangjam concluded.