In the realm of Indian football, Manvir Singh has consistently proven himself to be an invaluable asset to a team that often faces a challenge with height. In response to coach Igor Stimac's concerns regarding the height disadvantage in a crucial World Cup qualifier against Kuwait, Manvir once again emerged as the solution.
The Mohun Bagan striker played a crucial role as the forward anchor for the Indian team, scoring the only goal on a late Thursday night, leading India to a successful start in the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.
The encounter seemed quite reminiscent of a home game for India, as Kuwait is home to nearly 10 lakh Indian residents, making it the largest expatriate community. The passionate Indian supporters, who outnumbered their Kuwaiti counterparts at the 60,000-seater Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, cheered with great enthusiasm, particularly when Sahal Abdul Samad, the Indian attacking midfielder with ties to Kuwait, skillfully controlled the ball.
This marked the third meeting between the two teams this year, with the previous encounters being recognized for their remarkable quality and intensity. However, the Sunday match seemed to lack the same level of enthusiasm, as Kuwait had control of the ball but failed to truly challenge Gurpreet Singh's goal. On the other hand, India encountered difficulties in maintaining possession and executing precise passes, despite successfully obstructing Kuwait's attempts to score.
In the first half, there was a solitary opportunity for India, where skipper Sunil Chhetri unfortunately sent Nikhil Poojary's cutback over the crossbar. This chance arose from India's distinctive high-pressing style, which has been refined over the past year and has become a crucial aspect of the national team's gameplay.
Kuwait began the second half with enthusiasm, but unfortunately, they were unable to take full advantage of their possession. Due to the discomfort of cramps, their performance was hindered, allowing India to seize an opportunity in the 75th minute. Akash Mishra's impressive run along the left side created an opportunity for Lallianzuala Chhangte, who skillfully delivered a precise pass into the Kuwait box. Manvir, surpassing the left-back, skillfully directed the ball into the net, thus making a triumphant return to the national team.
Only weeks ago, this victory appeared to be unlikely. The injuries sustained by crucial players such as Anwar Ali and Jeakson Singh, who greatly contribute to India's gameplay, presented a significant obstacle. Nevertheless, India achieved success and obtained a precious advantage within the group. The upcoming trial lies ahead in Bhubaneswar, where India will confront the reigning Asian Champions, Qatar, who recently dominated Afghanistan with an 8-1 victory. India will face this formidable challenge in a mere four days, capitalizing on the momentum gained from their arduous triumph.
𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 @manvir_singh07 𝗖𝗔𝗠𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚💙🇮🇳
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Highlights 👉🏼 https://t.co/mqlUn22lpH#FIFAWorldCup 🏆 #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/gD9lJ9beYW— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) November 17, 2023
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