October 14, 2025

Panaji buzzes with excitement as India's football scene heats up! In a twist of fate, experienced defender Subhashish Bose has made a surprise return to the national team camp, joining forces for the cricket pitch showdown against Singapore. This fresh addition comes as coach Khalid Jamil wrestles with tough choices. Last week, Jamil had shocked many by leaving out the stalwart Bose and midfield maestro Lalengmawia Ralte, known as Apuia, for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 final qualifier. That match against Singapore ended in a tense 1-1 draw, leaving fans on the edge. But now, at Fatorda’s iconic Nehru Stadium, it's a face-off India can’t afford to lose. Why the change of heart? Sandesh Jhingan’s suspension has left a big hole in defense, urging Jamil to shuffle his deck and add some spice to the midfield mix. "Singapore are a good side, energetic, and they know that they lost two points (with the draw at home)," Jamil said seriously. "They will be better prepared now. We will be playing on our home ground and we must be prepared." The previous game was a rollercoaster! India conceded a goal at the sudden death of the first half. Then disaster struck when Jhingan was shown the red card early in the second half. Singapore seemed ready to seal the game, but fate played a clever trick. They messed up, gifting ten-man India a hard-fought draw. Coach Jamil was proud: "We deserved to have a goal, we worked hard," he said. The young team showed grit and heart, even with a player down. Right now, India’s standing in the group is tough—they trail group leaders Hong Kong by five points at the halfway mark. The crunch time is now; India must win all their next three matches to keep dreams alive. "You must believe (it’s possible). Whenever you play, you must have positive thinking. Anything can happen in football. Now, our minds are on the next game. That is the most important one for us. We will see later (about other matches and results)," Jamil urged. It’s clear the coach must bring bold moves and daring plans on the field. Under his watch, India has played carefully—winning against tough teams like Tajikistan and Oman, but drawing with lower-ranked sides. Their attack has been wobbly at times. Star forwards Sunil Chhetri and Farukh Choudhary, along with speedy wingers Lallianzuala Chhangte and Liston Colaco, have yet to catch lightning in a bottle. At Fatorda, every drop of sweat counts. The stakes are sky-high: win to stay alive in qualifiers or face the end of the road. India’s football warriors must turn up the heat and aim straight for victory—there’s no other way!

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Tags: India football, Subhashish bose, Khalid jamil, Afc asian cup qualifiers, Singapore match, Fatorda stadium,