Blue Tigers prepare for must-win double-header in AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers
With their Asian Cup dreams hanging in the balance, Indian football stars Lallianzuala Chhangte and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu have voiced their determination ahead of the crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying double-header against Singapore.
India, led by head coach Khalid Jamil, are in the middle of an intense training camp in Bengaluru before traveling to Singapore for the away fixture on October 9. The return leg will be staged in Goa on October 14, giving the Blue Tigers a golden chance to bounce back in Group C, where they currently sit bottom with just one point from two games. Singapore, meanwhile, top the table with four points and will look to consolidate their position.
Chhangte: “We know what’s at stake”
Forward Lallianzuala Chhangte, one of India’s key attacking outlets, stressed the importance of staying sharp against a side that has shown steady progress.
“Singapore are a good side and have proven their competitiveness in recent years. But our focus is firmly on our own game,” Chhangte said in an interview with aiff.com.
He admitted that the next two fixtures could define India’s campaign:
“Everyone knows what is at stake, and the mindset has to be clear – we are here to give everything. We want to make the country proud and prove that we belong in the Asian Cup.”
The Mumbai City FC captain also praised the team’s commitment during training, highlighting how Jamil’s tactical structure has been absorbed by the squad.
“The intensity has been high since day one. Everyone is locked in, following the plans, and working hard to get things right on the pitch,” he added.
Gurpreet: “We respect them, but we want to win at all costs”
Echoing Chhangte’s thoughts, veteran goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu acknowledged Singapore’s growth and warned of a tightly contested battle.
“Singapore are a good team who have only improved since we last played them. They have players capable of changing the game,” said Gurpreet.
Having returned to the national fold during the CAFA Nations Cup, Gurpreet emphasized that India must adopt a winning mentality to keep their qualification hopes alive.
“It was a close game the last time we faced them. We respect them, but our objective is clear – step onto the pitch and do everything possible to secure victory,” he concluded.
For the Blue Tigers, these back-to-back matches could be season-defining. A positive result in Singapore would not only lift India off the bottom of the table but also re-ignite their push for a third consecutive Asian Cup appearance.
With Sunil Chhetri, Chhangte, and Gurpreet leading from the front, India will need both experience and composure to turn the tide against a confident Singapore side.
