India vs Syria, AFC Asian Cup: How could coach Igor Stimac solve Blue Tigers’ fullback dilemma?

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India vs Syria: India are in a do-or-die situation with only one AFC Asian Cup 2023 group match left to be played. They have not earned any points from their first two AFC Asian Cup 2023 group matches against Australia and Uzbekistan.

Hence, they now need to win against Syria at any cost to qualify for the knockout stages. Considering their performances in their last two games, it's evident that the fullbacks affect their play as a whole.

India had a perfect centre-back pair ahead of their AFC Asian Cup 2023 campaign. Sandesh Jhingan and Anwar Ali have a perfect partnership. However, as Ali is injured, he was not selected for the India squad.

As a result, Rahul Bheke has been playing instead of him alongside Jhingan. There were doubts regarding Bheke in the centre-back position. However, he has delivered well in their last two matches. Hence, both of them should start again in this match against Syria.

Subhasish Bose started against Australia in the left-back position. Bose’s selection worked perfectly against the Socceroos as he's a more defense-minded fullback. The attack-minded Akash Mishra was selected in his position against Uzbekistan in the hopes of a sure win.

However, it backfired as the squad looked to lack that much-needed balance. In the hopes of restoring that, Bose could come back to the starting XI in their last AFC Asian Cup 2023 match. Nikhil Poojary should keep his place in the right-back position.

Poojary had an off-day against Uzbekistan. He is another attack-minded fullback. As he moved up the field to help in the attack, the defense suffered. However, that should be remedied if Bose comes back in the lineup.

Putting more attacking firepower up ahead in the field, like the inclusion of Anirudh Thapa or Lallianzuala Chhangte, if he has recovered by this match, will help them keep that balance. In that case, Poojary, Jhingan, Bheke, and Bose in the backline can work perfectly.