Bishkek [Kyrgyzstan]: The Indian men’s football team, who have already secured qualification to the 2019 Asian Cup, will look to continue their unbeaten run when they take on Kyrgyz Republic in an inconsequential last group match of the qualifying event here on Tuesday.
India are in the middle of a record 13-match unbeaten run. They are currently at pole position in Group A with 13 points from five matches so far.
The last time the two teams met in Bengaluru, Sunil Chhetri’s sublime strike made the difference between the two teams.
Earlier, India’s national coach Stephen Constantine had said that “regardless of our qualification, we will push for win.”
“We haven’t come here to lose,” he stressed. “Our objective was to qualify to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 and we have achieved our aim. From now on, it’s part of our preparation for the Asian Cup to be held next year,” he added on the eve of the match.
India are currently ranked at the 99th spot in the FIFA world rankings and a victory could take them as high as 87, something which could immensely help them in the draw for the Asian Cup.
The Kyrgyz Republic, on the other hand, have also qualified for the AFC Asian Cup 2019 akin to their counterpart. However, the Central Asian team are three points behind of India having played five matches in the qualification round. (ANI)