Soumo Ghosh
AIFF Media Team

BENGALURU: There are some new faces, and a few familiar ones as well, in the Indian senior men’s national team camp in Bengaluru. But the energy of the training sessions under head coach Khalid Jamil has been electric, as the Blue Tigers prepare for the upcoming double-header against Singapore.

Playing in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round, India will face Singapore on October 9 (away) and October 14 (at home in Goa), two matches that could prove crucial for the Blue Tigers in their bid to qualify for the continental stage for the third consecutive time. India are currently at the bottom of Group C after two matches, with one point to their name. Singapore are top with four points.

Blue Tigers attacker Lallianzuala Chhangte feels a collective responsibility within the squad for the upcoming matches.

“Singapore are a good side, and have shown in the past that they can be competitive,” said Chhangte. “But we are focussed on our own game.

“Everyone knows what is at stake, and the approach and mindset that we need in these matches,” he continued. “We all want to make the country proud and show that we deserve to be in the Asian Cup.”

Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who was manning the frame the last time India faced Singapore (a 1-1 draw in 2022), recalls the last encounter in Vietnam, but believes that it will be a different prospect in the upcoming matches.

“Singapore are a good team who have only improved since we last played them,” said Sandhu. “They have effective players who can change the game. It was a close game the last time we played them. We respect them, but we want to make sure we, as a team, step onto the pitch with only one goal – to win at all costs.”

India are going into the October FIFA International Window on the back of a promising showing in the CAFA (Central Asian Football Association) Nations Cup 2025, where they earned the bronze medal, defeating Tajikistan and Oman on their way.

Sandhu, who played a crucial role for the Blue Tigers, especially in the penalty shootout against Oman in the third-place match, feels that the performances rejuvenated the team.

“The CAFA Nations campaign was just what was needed, not only for us as players, but I think for the whole Indian football fraternity as well. It reinstated everyone’s belief,” said Sandhu. “We did what we did because we played as a team who are representing their country, and want to win. That should be the foundation on which we go out and play every match.”

With the CAFA bronze medal in their pockets, the rejuvenated Blue Tigers have been training hard at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru.

Chhangte said, “The training intensity has been high since day one. Everyone is focussed and is spending their time to understand the structure and plans that the coach has laid out for us.”