After 3 matchdays each in this edition of the Hero Intercontinental Cup, it’s finally time for the highly-anticipated finale. India and Lebanon are set to face off in the Hero Intercontinental Cup Final, hosted in Kalinga Stadium, Odisha. Both teams have shown impressive performances throughout the tournament, and it will be exciting to see who comes out on top.
The Blues’ preparations for the AFC Asian Cup are at a peak stage and every match is crucial in building up towards the big event. The Hero Intercontinental Cup has seen a new look Blue Tigers who are fearless in nature and love to play an exciting brand of football.
The Blue Tigers have shown impressive signs with eye-catching football and quality attacking but the finishing concern remains for the side. In addition, one good stat that the Indian team will be happy about is their streak of maintaining a clean sheet in the last 6 matches.
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India have won two games and drawn one among the 3 matches they played. The Blue Tigers started the tournament on a high with a 2-0 win against Mongolia in their first match, followed by a 1-0 victory against Vanuatu in their second game. They drew 0-0 against Lebanon in their third and final match. It was a hard-fought battle but the story will resume in the Final match.
Lebanon, on the other hand, has won one game, drawn one, and lost one. Their opening match was a sparkling show as they won 3-1 against Vanuatu. A surprising dip was seen as they drew 0-0 against Mongolia in their second game, but they came no easy up next as Lebanon drew 0-0 against the hosts in the final game.
Team News
There are a few absentees in Stimac’s squad which we’re already aware of but more to the misery India would miss the services of goal-scoring sensation Ishan Pandita of whom much was expected. Pandita picked up a knock in training and will miss out in the big clash on Sunday evening.
Head-to-head
Regarding the head-to-head record, the two sides have faced each other six times in all competitions, with the Cedars winning three games and the other three ending in draws. Lebanon has never lost to the South asian side, and they will be looking to break that streak in this final.
Both teams are having a subtle clash in their Fifa World Rankings as well, with the Blue Tigers currently ranked 101 and Lebanon ranked 99. This clash is expected to be intense, with both teams playing their hearts out to win the Hero Intercontinental Cup.
Probable Line-ups
India – Amrinder Singh (GK), Nikhil Poojary, Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali, Subhasish Bose, Jeakson Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Sunil Chhetri (C), Mahesh Naorem Singh.
Lebanon – Ali Sabeh (GK), Hussein El Zein, Walid Shour, Jehad Ayoub, Mohammed Al Hayek, Ali Tneich, Nader Matar, Zein Farran, Soony Saad, Hassan Matouk (C), Karim Darwiche.
Predictions
Talking about a quick prediction from our side, it would be a hard-fought battle but we expect it to slightly tilt in favour of the Blue Tigers who might clinch a 2:0 victory in the Final Showdown.
All answers would have to wait as only the two teams on the pitch with their performances can decide the outcome as we wait for an exciting and mouth-watering clash between two mighty strong sides in India and Lebanon.
The match will be live on Star Sports 2, Jio TV, and Hotstar, so fans around the world can tune in to watch this exciting final. It is expected to be a thrilling match, with both teams putting on a great show.
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