[1]Kathmandu: Defending champions and favourites India will be aiming to start their SAFF Championship campaign on a winning note against arch-rivals Pakistan here tomorrow.
Irrespective of the sport, an Indo-Pak rivalry always invokes a lot of passion and pride among those who play as well as those who follow the game.
The SAFF championship has been a happy hunting ground for the Indian football team having won six out of the nine editions of the tournament and having never lost to Pakistan in the championship.
Out of 30 matches that two teams have been pitted against each other, India have won 17 matches while Pakistan have got the better of the two teams on only five occasions. Eight were drawn matches.
On Sunday at the floodlit Dashrath Stadium, expect a keen contest but more importantly there will be a battle within the main encounter.
It will be between the two best players of either side: Indian captain and their primary striker Sunil Chhetri trying to get past one of Pakistan's best footballers Zesh Rahaman, who has played for EPL side Fulham in the past apart from playing for the championship side Blackpool FC.
Chhetri himself has plied his trade on foreign soil having represented MLS side Kansas City Wizards and 'B' team of Sporting Lisbon albeit with little success.
Chhetri will find quality support from Jeje Lalpekhlua upfront, who has scored five goals against Pakistan in the last two encounters between the two sides including a hat-trick.
Lenny Rodrigues and Mehtab Hossain are expected to man the central midfield while Francis Fernandes and India's most complete player, Syed Rahim Nabi are likely to operate at the two wide ends.
The two side backs who will be joining the wingers during overlaps will be Nirmall Chhetri and N Mohanraj while Gourmangi Singh and lanky Arnab Mondal will at the heart of defence. Subrata Paul is likely to replace 38-year-old Sandeep Nandy under the bar.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/sunil-chhetripti-ed500jpg-522