Intercontinental Cup 2019: India vs DPR Korea - TV channel, live stream, team news & preview

India take on DPR Korea in the 2019 Intercontinental Cup at the TransStadia Arena in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Saturday. 

 

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How To Watch

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The Star Sports Network will be broadcasting the match in India on TV as well as their digital platform.

 

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Team News

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India Possible XI:

India form:  Tajikistan (L 4-2) Thaliand (W 1-0), Curacao (L 3-1), Bahrain (L 1-0), UAE (L 2-0)

Injuries:  Pronay Halder, Anas Edathodika.

Doubtful: Sandesh Jhingan

Players to watch: Jobby Justin, Sahal Abdul Samad

DPR Korea possible XI:

DPR Korea form:  Syria (L 5-2), Uzbekistan (L 4-0), Lebanon (L 4-1), Qatar (L 6-0), Saudi Arabia (L 4-0) 

Players to watch:  Jong II Gwan, Han Thae Hyok

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Match Preview

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The two teams lock horns after suffering losses in their respective opening games in the Intercontinental Cup. Tajikistan came back from behind to thump India 4-2 while Syria outclassed Korea 5-2 a day after. 

India started brightly and put up a good show in the first half. They looked composed in midfield and were lethal on the counter. Head coach Igor Stimac has been trying to implement a different style of football and the opening 45 minutes showed that the players are adapting well to the new methods. 

They did well while playing out from the back with short passes and against Korea, they must be immaculate with their passing as their opponents are known to press high and close down quickly. 

Sahal Abdul Samad had a wonderful outing against Tajikistan and he will once again be the player to watch out for at the centre of the park. His partnership with Anirudh Thapa has been blooming with each passing game and the duo will be crucial to deny space to the likes of Jong II Gwan. 

AIFF Media

Korea had more possession and shots on target against Syria and yet suffered a heavy defeat. Their defence broke down like a pack of cards in the previous match and coach Yun Jong-Su must find a trick to prevent their backline from crumbling. His side have conceded 23 goals in their last five matches and India must make them pay for their defensive lapses.

Although Sunil Chhetri scored two goals, he missed a tap-in from six yards which could have extended India's lead. These kinds of schoolboy errors must be eliminated as India must not only win but score as many goals as possible to better the goal difference. 

Although India haven't yet won a match against DPR Korea, things can change this Saturday. If the Blue Tigers  manage to keep things tight at the back, Korea could well face their seventh consecutive defeat on the trot.